Monday, May 19, 2025 - A tragic maritime accident in New York Harbour has left two sailors dead and several others injured after the Mexican Navy’s iconic training vessel, Cuauhtémoc, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge during a goodwill tour on Saturday evening.
The ship’s three towering masts were snapped as the vessel
drifted in reverse along the East River around 8:20 p.m., slamming into the
historic 142-year-old bridge.
The impact sent rigging into disarray and left several crew
members dangling high above the deck, still strapped into their harnesses as
emergency crews rushed to the scene.
Eyewitness videos circulating online showed the vessel
approaching the bridge at an awkward angle, with its massive Mexican flag
waving from the stern and bystanders screaming as the collision occurred.
According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the bridge
itself sustained no major structural damage, and no injuries were reported
among motorists or pedestrians on the bridge at the time. However, the human
toll on board the ship was severe.
“Of the 277 people on board, 22 sustained injuries,” Adams
said. “Two remain in critical condition, and sadly, two have passed away from
their injuries.”
On Sunday, the Secretariat of the Navy in Mexico confirmed
the fatalities and provided further details about the incident.
“During the departure manoeuvre of the sailboat Cuauhtémoc
in New York, there was a mishap with the Brooklyn Bridge.
“The accident has rendered the continuation of the
instruction cruise impossible.” the statement read.
The Navy noted that among the 22 injured, 11 were listed as
delicate and nine as stable. No crew members fell into the water, and rescue
operations were not required, according to the Navy’s update.
Efforts are now underway to reunite cadets with their
families, and support is being extended to relatives of the deceased.
The Naval Academy Director and the Commander of the Eighth
Naval Region are in active contact with families to provide updates and
emotional support.
“We deeply regret what happened and reaffirm our commitment
to the families of the crew. An investigation is ongoing to determine the
precise causes of the accident,” the Navy added.
President Claudia Sheinbaum also expressed her condolences
via her official X (formerly Twitter) account:
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of two crew members of
the Training Ship Cuauhtémoc. Our solidarity and support go out to their
families.”
She added that Mexican diplomatic staff in New York are
assisting the injured and coordinating with local authorities.
The Cuauhtémoc, named after the last Aztec emperor, is a
Mexican Navy sail training vessel that tours internationally as a symbol of
diplomacy and maritime tradition.
Each year, it departs after the end of classes at Mexico’s
Naval Military School to complete training exercises.
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