Federal transportation officials have initiated an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding a Mexican navy tall ship colliding with the Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in the vessel’s three masts being broken, two crew members losing their lives, and some sailors being left hanging from harnesses high above. The ship, known as the Cuauhtemoc, was on a global goodwill tour in New York when the accident occurred on Saturday evening. Eyewitness videos captured the ship swiftly reversing towards the bridge before its masts struck and snapped, one by one.
The cause of the ship veering off course is unknown, prompting the National Transportation Safety Board to dispatch a team for investigation. New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that the Brooklyn Bridge sustained minimal damage, while 19 individuals on board the ship required medical attention. Tragically, two of the four seriously injured individuals passed away.
Despite the chaos and confusion following the collision, no individuals on the bridge were harmed. The ship, adorned with a large Mexican flag and carrying 277 individuals, eventually drifted into a pier along the riverbank as bystanders scrambled for safety. Sailors were seen in the rigging of the damaged masts, but fortunately, no one fell into the water.
Witnesses described the harrowing experience of seeing individuals dangling from the ship’s masts as the collision unfolded. The Mexican navy confirmed that the Cuauhtemoc was a training vessel and reported a total of 22 injuries. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences to the families of the deceased crew members, while Mexico’s naval secretary vowed to conduct a thorough investigation and expressed gratitude to the first responders in New York.
The 142-year-old Brooklyn Bridge, a significant landmark in New York City, was temporarily closed to traffic following the collision but resumed normal operations after inspection. Initial reports suggested that the ship experienced a mechanical issue, losing power as it approached the bridge. As the damaged ship was slowly moved up the East River with the assistance of tugboats, onlookers gathered to witness the unusual sight.
Each year, the Cuauhtemoc embarks on a training voyage for naval military school cadets. This year’s journey began in Acapulco, Mexico, and included a visit to New York City before continuing to 22 ports in 15 countries over 254 days, with 170 days at sea. The vessel, measuring nearly 300 feet in length and boasting a main mast height of 160 feet, has been a symbol of Mexican naval training since its inaugural voyage in 1982.
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