Authorities in New York are currently investigating the scene of a dramatic incident where the Mexican Navy training ship, Cuauhtémoc, collided with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in two fatalities and injuring at least 19 others on board. The collision occurred on Saturday evening, prompting emergency services to respond rapidly to the site.
Initial investigations by local police indicate that the ship lost power just ahead of the impact, a crucial detail that will be central to the investigation. Eyewitness footage captured the tragic moment as the ship’s three tall masts fell, drawing gasps from horrified bystanders along the waterfront. Fortunately, officials confirmed that the Brooklyn Bridge itself suffered no damage and traffic was reopened later on Saturday evening.
The Cuauhtémoc features towering masts that rise to 48.2 meters (approximately 158 feet), exceeding the bridge’s center clearance of 41.1 meters (135 feet), according to guidelines from the New York transport department. Following the crash, emergency responders managed to evacuate and treat at least 27 crew members from the ship, which had a total of 277 personnel on board, all of whom have since been accounted for.
The damaged vessel has lost all three masts and has been moved to a nearby pier for further examination and investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board announced it is deploying a team to assist the U.S. Coast Guard in their ongoing inquiry, which involves close coordination between American and Mexican authorities.
Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, Mexico's Navy Secretary, emphasized that the investigation's findings will be shared with the public "with total transparency and responsibility." The Cuauhtémoc had set sail from Acapulco, Mexico, on April 6, and was scheduled to make various stops, including participating in the Tall Ships race in Aberdeen, Scotland, slated for July.
