A tragic accident occurred in New York City when a Mexican Navy training ship struck the Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in two deaths and injuries to at least 19 others.
Authorities reported that the Cuauhtémoc, a tall sailing ship carrying 277 people, lost power on Saturday while the captain was navigating. This malfunction forced the vessel toward a support structure on the Brooklyn side of the bridge.
Video footage captured the ship’s towering masts hitting the bridge as it attempted to pass beneath. According to officials, some crew members were stationed on the masts at the time, and they were thrown down when the structures broke apart and collapsed onto the deck.
Local resident Nick Corso described the chaos that followed, telling AFP there were screams and sailors clinging to the broken masts.
Mayor Eric Adams confirmed on social media that two people were killed in the incident. Of the 19 injured, two were reported to be in critical condition.
Despite the collision, the Brooklyn Bridge sustained no significant damage and was reopened shortly after an initial inspection.
Police believe the crash was caused by mechanical failure and a power outage aboard the ship.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported that all three masts on the Cuauhtémoc were destroyed. Thankfully, no one was thrown into the water, and all personnel were accounted for.
Onlookers scattered from the shoreline as the ship struck the bridge. Witness Kelvin Flores, speaking to the BBC, said he was working nearby when the incident occurred. He described a scene of chaos, with emergency responders struggling to navigate through heavy traffic.
“The damage was shocking,” Flores said. “There were stretchers being carried as they tried to help the injured.”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed sorrow over the loss of two crew members in the accident.
After the collision, the Cuauhtémoc was towed away from the site.
According to the Mexican Navy, the vessel, launched in 1982, is 297 feet (91 meters) long and 40 feet (12 meters) wide. It regularly embarks on voyages to complete naval cadet training after the academic year.
This year’s journey began on April 6 from Acapulco, with the ship originally bound for Iceland.
Reuters noted the ship’s masts were about 147 feet (45 meters) tall. In contrast, the Brooklyn Bridge has a listed vertical clearance of 135 feet at its highest point, according to New York’s transportation department.
Source: BBC
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