May 18 (UPI) -- Two people are dead after a Mexican Navy training vessel struck the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday night, snapping the ship's three masts and leaving some crew members hanging high above the water waiting for rescuers to arrive.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said at a news conference that night the boat crashed into the bridge due to a mechanical mishap.

"The pilot lost power of the ship," he told reporters.

Adams said the 142-year old bridge did not sustain major damage, but at least 19 people of the 277 aboard the vessel needed medical attention. The bridge was closed for about 40 minutes after the ship accident, according to a post on X from NYC's official emergency notification system.

Watch as @NYPDPC Jessica S. Tisch, @NYCMayor Eric Adams, and City offici

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