A tragic accident unfolded Saturday night when a Mexican Navy training ship, the Cuauhtémoc, collided with New York City’s iconic Brooklyn Bridge. The crash snapped the ship’s masts and resulted in the deaths of two crew members, with over twenty others injured. Witnesses on the shore watched in shock as the incident occurred.
How It Happened
The Cuauhtémoc had been docked in Manhattan for several days as part of a goodwill tour and was leaving the South Street Seaport Museum near Pier 17 around 8:20 p.m. on Saturday. Instead of heading out to sea, the ship began moving the wrong way up the East River towards the bridge.
Despite the assistance of a tugboat, the ship increased speed to about 6 knots and lost control. At 8:24 p.m., the vessel’s mast struck the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge, causing the masts to break. Emergency calls poured in immediately, and first responders rushed to the scene. The ship came to a stop shortly after, and emergency personnel arrived within minutes.
Casualties and Injuries
Two crew members tragically died after falling from the ship’s mast. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that the victims were a cadet and a sailor. The Mexican Navy reported 22 injuries, with 18 crew members able to return home and two still receiving treatment in New York hospitals.
Families of the deceased have been notified and are coordinating the repatriation of the bodies to Mexico. The community mourns their loss as investigations continue.
Ongoing Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a thorough investigation, working alongside Mexican officials. Investigators are examining multiple factors, including crew actions, the ship’s condition, and environmental conditions such as wind and tide.
Preliminary reports suggest the ship experienced a mechanical failure causing a loss of steering after the rudder stopped working. The propeller was in reverse when the crash occurred, but investigators have not yet confirmed the exact cause.
Authorities are reviewing security footage and seeking eyewitness accounts to piece together the events. They are also interviewing the tugboat captain and the person who radioed for help.
Safety of Bridges Under Scrutiny
This incident has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of bridges to collisions. The Brooklyn Bridge, though undamaged structurally, was temporarily closed after the accident.
Similar events, such as the 2023 crash of a cargo ship into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which killed six workers, have raised questions about maritime safety near critical infrastructure. Since then, the NTSB has highlighted the risks faced by bridges, urging authorities to implement measures to reduce vulnerabilities.
About the Cuauhtémoc
The Cuauhtémoc is a tall sailing ship named after the last Aztec emperor. Built in Spain in 1981, it serves as a training vessel for the Mexican Navy. Known as the “Ambassador and Knight of the Seas,” it symbolizes Mexico’s naval heritage and diplomacy worldwide.
The ship regularly participates in international regattas and has visited over 200 ports in 64 countries. It was on a training voyage for the graduating class of 2025 and planned to head to Iceland next.
Conclusion
As the investigation continues, families and officials seek answers about how this tragic accident occurred. The Cuauhtémoc collision with the Brooklyn Bridge is a stark reminder of the challenges and risks involved in maritime navigation near urban infrastructure. The city and nation mourn the loss of life and hope to prevent similar incidents in the future.
If you witnessed the crash or have video footage, authorities urge you to contact [email protected].
“This article was written by Mathew Owen. AI tools were used lightly for grammar and formatting, but the ideas, words, and edits are all mine.”
