Two Dead as Mexican Navy Ship Collides with Brooklyn Bridge

Tragedy struck the iconic Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday evening as a Mexican Navy training vessel, the Cuauhtémoc, collided with the structure, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and leaving at least nineteen others injured. The incident, which occurred at approximately 8:30 PM Eastern Time, sent shockwaves through New York City and prompted a swift response from emergency services.
According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the Cuauhtémoc, a tall sailing ship, reportedly lost power as it was navigating the East River and passing under the historic bridge. The vessel, carrying 277 people on board as part of a goodwill visit, saw its towering masts clip the underside of the bridge. Disturbing footage captured by onlookers showed the moment of impact, with the masts snapping and collapsing onto the deck of the ship. Tragically, crew members were positioned on these masts at the time of the collision.
Mayor Adams confirmed the devastating outcome, stating that two people had lost their lives and nineteen others sustained injuries, with two individuals reported to be in critical condition. While the situation onboard the vessel was dire, authorities thankfully reported that no one fell into the water. The Mexican Navy had initially reported a higher number of injured, placing the figure at 22, and stated that an investigation into the incident was underway.
The United States Coast Guard confirmed that the Cuauhtémoc lost the top portions of two of its masts. All personnel on board have been accounted for, and the injured were promptly transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention. The New York Police Department's Chief of Operations indicated that preliminary assessments suggested "mechanical issues" and a subsequent power outage may have been contributing factors to the unfortunate collision with one of the bridge's pillars.
Eyewitness accounts painted a picture of chaos and alarm as the large sailing vessel approached the bridge. Crowds who had gathered along the waterfront to observe the ship's passage were seen fleeing the area as the masts made contact with the bridge. Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz, who were watching the sunset nearby, described seeing the vessel strike the bridge and one of its masts break. They further recounted the harrowing sight of someone dangling from high up on the damaged rigging before eventually being rescued.
The Mexican Navy, via a post on social media platform X, acknowledged that the Cuauhtémoc, an academy training vessel, sustained damage in the collision with the Brooklyn Bridge, which would prevent it from continuing its planned voyage. The vessel had embarked from Acapulco, Mexico, on April 6th with a crew of 277 and was on a journey that included scheduled stops at 22 ports across 15 nations, with Iceland being its final destination.
Despite the severity of the collision and the tragic loss of life and injuries, initial assessments by the New York City Department of Transportation indicated that the Brooklyn Bridge itself did not suffer any major structural damage. This news will come as a relief to the city's commuters and residents who rely on the vital transportation link.
The incident has triggered a multi-agency response, with the New York Police Department, Fire Department, and the U.S. Coast Guard all involved in the rescue efforts and the ongoing investigation. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area around the bridge, including the South Street Seaport in Manhattan and the DUMBO neighborhood in Brooklyn, as they continue to manage the aftermath of the collision and conduct their inquiries into the precise circumstances that led to this devastating event. The focus remains on providing support to the injured and the families of those who lost their lives in this unforeseen maritime accident involving a cherished New York City landmark.
Source@BBC