Investigation Underway into Fatal Collision of Mexican Navy Ship with Brooklyn Bridge

A tragic collision between the Mexican Navy training ship Cuauhtémoc and the Brooklyn Bridge has resulted in two fatalities and numerous injuries, prompting a thorough investigation by US officials and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Authorities in New York are currently investigating the scene of a tragic collision involving the Mexican sailing ship Cuauhtémoc, which struck the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday night. This unfortunate incident led to the deaths of two individuals onboard, with at least 19 others sustaining injuries. Early assessments suggest that the ship lost power before colliding with the bridge, which was unscathed by the impact and had reopened for traffic shortly thereafter.

Eyewitness footage captured the distressing moment when the ship's three tall masts broke apart, as spectators watched in horror from the banks of the river. Reports indicate that the Cuauhtémoc, towering at a height of 48.2 meters (158 feet), exceeded the bridge's 41.1-meter (135 feet) clearance at its center, raising further questions about its approach.

Emergency responders successfully evacuated at least 27 individuals from the vessel for medical attention, while all 277 crew members were accounted for. The ship, which has now lost all three masts, is currently docked at a nearby pier pending further investigation.

The National Transportation Safety Board is deploying a team to collaborate on this investigation, which is being jointly managed by both US and Mexican government officials. Mexico's Navy Secretary, Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, has assured that the investigation will be conducted with “total transparency and responsibility” to uncover the facts surrounding this tragic event.

The Cuauhtémoc had embarked on its journey from Acapulco, Mexico, on April 6, with anticipated stops in New York and Aberdeen, Scotland, where it was to participate in the city's Tall Ships race this coming July.