Tragedy Strikes as Mexican Navy Ship Collides with Brooklyn Bridge

Two crew members died, and several others were injured when the Mexican Navy's ARM Cuauhtémoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge during a goodwill tour. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash.

In a heartbreaking incident on Saturday night, two crew members aboard the Mexican Navy vessels were killed when the ARM Cuauhtémoc plunged into the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge, severely damaging its masts and rigging. The ship was on a goodwill voyage around the globe, hosting 277 individuals, including 175 naval cadets, and visiting New York City as part of its journey.

The victims were identified as 20-year-old cadet América Yamileth Sánchez Hernández and 23-year-old sailor Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos. Sánchez Hernández's uncle expressed family devastation upon the news of her passing, recalling her upbeat communication from Central Park mere hours before the accident.

Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, which has ignited a flood of videos on social media depicting the vessel's chaos. A maritime expert suggested to reporters that the ship’s propellers could have been running in reverse when it hit the bridge. Senator Charles Schumer mentioned that the vessel did not seek assistance from a tugboat prior to the collision and that footage showing a tugboat was of a response team arriving after the fact.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that the investigation would involve the Mexican Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and the National Transportation Safety Board, delving into potential mechanical failures, tugboat involvement, or human errors contributing to the tragic event. The broader implications of the incident have already sparked discussions on maritime safety and operational protocols for naval training ships.