In a shocking incident, a Mexican Navy training ship crashed into the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in two fatalities and numerous injuries.
Tragedy Strikes as Mexican Navy Ship Collides with Brooklyn Bridge
Tragedy Strikes as Mexican Navy Ship Collides with Brooklyn Bridge
Devastating accident claims lives and injures many in New York City.
Two people have lost their lives, and at least 19 others have sustained injuries following a harrowing collision involving the Cuauhtémoc, a Mexican Navy sailing ship, with New York City's Brooklyn Bridge. According to law enforcement, the vessel, carrying 277 individuals, experienced a power failure on Saturday while navigating, leading it to veer dangerously close to the bridge.
Eyewitness video captured the moment the ship's towering masts struck the bridge, resulting in chaos as crew members clung precariously to the rigging before the masts broke off and fell onto the deck. Local resident, Nick Corso, recounted the scene of panic, detailing how onlookers burst into screams at the sight of sailors hanging from the masts.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the unfortunate news of two fatalities and noted that among the injured, two victims are in critical condition. Fortunately, the Brooklyn Bridge itself seems to have incurred no significant damage and has since reopened following an immediate inspection.
Authorities indicated that the crash was likely caused by a "mechanical malfunction" coupled with a power outage on the Cuauhtémoc. The U.S. Coast Guard reported that the vessel had lost all three of its masts, yet all crew members were accounted for, avoiding any instances of personnel falling into the water.
As viewers fled towards safety, witness Kelvin Flores recounted the chaotic scene as fire trucks and police rushed to manage the disaster, noting the distressing sight of emergency responders tending to the injured. Expressing her condolences, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum remarked on the tragic loss of the crew members amidst the devastating incident.
The Cuauhtémoc, a 297-foot training ship commissioned in 1982, had been undertaking its annual voyage to complete the training of naval cadets. It embarked from Acapulco on April 6 this year, aiming to ultimately reach Iceland, with planned stops including the Tall Ships Race in Aberdeen, Scotland. The ship's towering masts reach over 48 meters high, while the Brooklyn Bridge has a clearance of 135 feet at its center, heightening concerns about the accident.
