Three people are in critical condition while several others are seriously injured, per the NY Post.
Search and rescue operations are underway after the ship failed to clear the span. Video taken by bystanders on the shore watching the ship go down the East River shows the shocking scene.
The masts on the Cuauhtémoc, builtin Spain in 1982, were 147-feet tall ahead of the collision, just before 9 pm. It's journey down the river was "part of a promotion for next year’s Sail4th tall ship event" which is part of the 250th anniversary celebration. There are 30 Class A International Tall Ships that are set to be in New York Harbor for the July 4th festivities in 2026.
Footage shows the mayhem as the ship's masts are unable to clear the bridge. People on shore went running away from it as the masts fell.
Traffic proceeded across the bridge as the ship crashed into the roadway.
Multiple emergency vehicles responded to the scene.
This is a developing story.
