Authorities in New York are currently conducting an investigation regarding a severe maritime accident that occurred when the Mexican Navy's training ship Cuauhtémoc crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge. The incident took place on a Saturday night and resulted in two fatalities, with at least 19 others sustaining injuries. Early reports indicate that the ship lost power before hitting the bridge. Witnesses recorded video footage showing the vessel's three tall masts collapsing as the collision unfolded, leaving onlookers stunned. Fortunately, the Brooklyn Bridge itself endured no structural damage and reopened to traffic on Saturday evening, as confirmed by city officials.
According to the New York transport department, the Cuauhtémoc, which has a mast height of 48.2 meters (158 feet), struck the bridge, which has a center clearance of 41.1 meters (135 feet). Emergency responders were able to assist at least 27 individuals from the vessel, and all 277 crew members aboard were ultimately confirmed safe. Following the collision, the ship lost all three of its masts and has since been relocated to a nearby pier for further investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced it would send a team to collaborate with the US Coast Guard on the ongoing inquiry, which involves both the US and Mexican governments. Mexico's Navy Secretary, Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, assured that the findings of the investigation would be handled with "total transparency and responsibility." The Cuauhtémoc had set sail from Acapulco, Mexico, on April 6 and was scheduled for a journey that included stops in New York and Aberdeen, Scotland, for the famed Tall Ships race in July.
