A Mexican Navy training ship, the Cuauhtémoc, collided with Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in two deaths and injuries to 19 others, prompting major emergency responses and investigations.
Mexican Navy Ship Tragedy Claims Two Lives in Brooklyn Bridge Collision
Mexican Navy Ship Tragedy Claims Two Lives in Brooklyn Bridge Collision
Two fatalities and numerous injuries reported as Cuauhtémoc crashes into iconic bridge.
Two lives were tragically lost when the Mexican Navy training ship Cuauhtémoc collided with New York City's Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday, resulting in at least 19 others sustaining injuries. The incident occurred when the ship, carrying 277 individuals, lost power while the captain attempted to navigate under the bridge, leading to a devastating crash against the bridge abutment on the Brooklyn side.
Witnesses reported chaotic scenes, with videos capturing the ship's towering masts striking the bridge. Nick Corso, a resident of Brooklyn, described the shock and panic that ensued, recalling “lots of screaming,” and seeing sailors precariously perched on the masts as they snapped and fell.
The city's Mayor, Eric Adams, confirmed the fatalities and noted that among the injured, two were in critical condition. Fortunately, Brooklyn Bridge suffered no significant damage and was reopened following a preliminary assessment by authorities, who indicated that mechanical failure and a power outage were likely responsible for the accident.
The New York Coast Guard reported that the Cuauhtémoc lost all three of its masts, but thankfully, all personnel on board were accounted for, and no one fell into the water during the incident.
Eyewitness Kelvin Flores recounted the chaotic scene that unfolded as firefighters and police rushed to respond, while traffic congested the area, delaying emergency access. In a statement conveying their sorrow, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed deep condolences for the loss of life.
After the collision, the Cuauhtémoc was towed away from the site. This ship, 297 feet in length and a part of the Mexican Navy's training operations since 1982, intended to finalize its training mission, sailing from Acapulco on April 6 and scheduled to visit several ports including Aberdeen, Scotland, for a Tall Ships race in July. The vessel boasts a mast height of approximately 158 feet, while Brooklyn Bridge has a clearance of 135 feet at its center.
