Sailing Ship Tragedy: Mexican Navy's Vessel Collision with Brooklyn Bridge Leaves 2 Dead, 19 Injured

Tragedy Strikes as Mexican Navy Training Ship Collides with Brooklyn Bridge

A heartbreaking incident unfolded in New York City when a towering Mexican Navy training ship, the Cuauhtémoc, crashed into Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to 19 others.

Lost Power Led to Catastrophe

According to police reports, the Cuauhtémoc, carrying 277 people on board, unexpectedly lost power on Saturday. This unfortunate event occurred just as the captain attempted to navigate the vessel, inevitably leading it toward the bridge abutment on Brooklyn’s side.

Shocking Footage Captures the Incident

Video recordings captured the harrowing moment as the ship’s towering masts brushed against the bridge, breaking off and crashing onto the deck. Crew members were spotted on the masts when the structure collapsed, officials revealed.

Eyewitness Accounts of the Chaos

Brooklyn local Nick Corso, an eyewitness, described the scene as one of pandemonium. “There was a lot of shouting, with sailors clinging onto the masts,” he recounted to AFP.

Official Confirmation and Response

New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed on platform X that amid the devastating accident, two individuals lost their lives, and two out of the 19 injured remained in critical condition.

Brooklyn Bridge Reopened After Inspection

Following a preliminary inspection, it was determined that Brooklyn Bridge incurred no significant damage and was reopened to the public.

Possible Mechanical Failures Blamed

Authorities suggest that “mechanical issues” and a power outage contributed to the tragic collision.

Coast Guard Report

The New York Coast Guard reported that all three of Cuauhtémoc’s masts were lost. Fortunately, every individual aboard was accounted for, with no one falling into the waters.

Witness Accounts of the Aftermath

The area near the water was quickly evacuated as the ship collided with the bridge. Kelvin Flores, another witness and a local worker, described a scene of “commotion and chaos,” as emergency services battled traffic to reach the crash site.

President Claudia Sheinbaum Mourns the Loss

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed deep sorrow over the accident, mourning the loss of two crew members.

Cuauhtémoc’s Voyage Ended Prematurely

Post-collision, the Cuauhtémoc was removed from the site. This historic vessel, stretching 297 feet in length and 40 feet in width, set sail for the first time in 1982. Its journey is an annual tradition used to finalize the training of cadets from the naval military school. This year, it departed from Acapulco on April 6, with its final stop initially set for Iceland.

Bridge and Ship Statistics

Details revealed that the mast height of the Cuauhtémoc was 48.2 meters (158 feet) tall, while Brooklyn Bridge offers a center clearance of 135 feet, as per the New York transport department’s records.