Mexican Navy Ship Cuauhtemoc Collides With Brooklyn Bridge, Resulting In Fatalities And Injuries

A Mexican navy sailing ship, the Cuauhtemoc, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York on Saturday. The incident resulted in the snapping of its three masts and led to the death of two crew members. Several sailors were left hanging in harnesses, waiting for rescue. New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that while the bridge sustained no major damage, 19 individuals aboard required medical attention.

The Cuauhtemoc, a training vessel for the Mexican navy, was on a global goodwill tour when the accident occurred. The ship was seen moving rapidly in reverse towards the bridge on the Brooklyn side of the East River. As it continued moving, its masts hit and broke against the bridge's span. The ship then drifted into a nearby pier as bystanders hurried to safety.

The cause of this collision is currently being investigated. Eyewitness videos captured the dramatic scene as it unfolded. The vessel was flying a large Mexican flag and had 277 people onboard at the time of the incident. Following an inspection, city officials allowed traffic to resume after it had been temporarily halted due to the collision.

According to a statement from the Mexican navy on social media platform X, 22 people were injured in total, with 19 requiring medical treatment. Tragically, two of those who suffered serious injuries later passed away. The Cuauhtemoc is approximately 297 feet (90 meters) long and 40 feet (12 meters) wide.

The Cuauhtemoc was constructed in Spain and first set sail in 1982. It embarks annually at the conclusion of classes at Mexico's naval military school to complete cadets' training. This year, it departed from Acapulco on Mexico's Pacific coast on April 6 with its full crew complement.

Mayor Adams shared updates about the incident on social media early Sunday morning. He noted that despite the severity of the crash, significant structural damage to the historic 142-year-old Brooklyn Bridge was avoided. However, he expressed condolences for those affected by this tragic event.

The ship's mission is part of an educational program designed to provide practical experience for naval cadets. Each year, it undertakes voyages that contribute to their training and development as future officers.

With inputs from WAM