A dramatic collision occurred Saturday night when the Mexican navy’s sail training ship Cuauhtémoc lost power and slammed into the Brooklyn Bridge. Two sailors died, and 22 others were injured—11 critically—after the vessel’s three tall masts snapped against the bridge’s deck. The accident brings new scrutiny to river navigation and highlights the risks naval personnel face even in peacetime.
What Happened Aboard the Cuauhtémoc
The Cuauhtémoc, named after the last Aztec emperor, set sail from Acapulco on April 6 as part of a 254‑day promotional tour marking Mexico’s bicentennial of independence. With 277 people on board—64 women and 213 men—it planned to visit 22 ports across 15 countries. As the training vessel maneuvered in the East River’s strong currents, it unexpectedly lost power and drifted into the Brooklyn Bridge.
Eyewitness videos captured sailors perched on yardarms in ceremonial uniforms moments before impact. The crash:
- Date & Time: Saturday night, as congested bridge traffic passed overhead.
- Immediate Damage: Two masts splintered; a third hangs at a 45-degree angle.
- Bridge Status: The span and towers, dating from 1883, suffered no structural damage.
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Casualties and Injuries
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, expressed deep sorrow on X (formerly Twitter): “We are deeply saddened by the loss of two crew members… Our solidarity and support go out to their families.” A government bulletin confirmed:
- Fatalities: Two navy cadets killed on impact.
- Injured: 22 crew members, with 11 in critical condition and nine stable.
- Rescue Efforts: Local authorities and Mexican navy teams tended to the wounded and reunited survivors with relatives.
CNN reported seven uniformed navy members boarding the crippled vessel at first light to secure the scene.
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Eyewitness Account
Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz, watching the Manhattan skyline at sunset, described seeing one sailor dangling from a harness atop a shattered mast for 15 minutes before rescue. They watched another two crewers loaded onto stretchers and taken to safety on smaller boats.
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The Cuauhtémoc’s Mission and Future
The tall ship flies a giant Mexican flag and serves as an academy training vessel. Since its maiden voyage in 1982, it has launched yearly cadet training cruises. Saturday’s crash ended this voyage prematurely. The navy announced the ship will not continue its scheduled Caribbean and European stops, including planned calls in Aberdeen and London.
Brooklyn Bridge: A Historic Landmark
The Brooklyn Bridge spans 1,595 feet between two masonry towers. It carries over 100,000 vehicles and 32,000 pedestrians daily and remains an iconic symbol of New York. Despite the collision, officials confirm the bridge’s integrity and traffic flow are unaffected.
What Comes Next
Investigators will probe why the Cuauhtémoc lost power in strong currents and a 10 mph wind. The Mexican navy has pledged a thorough investigation to pinpoint causes. Meanwhile, mourners in Mexico and New York share grief for the fallen sailors and relief that no one on the bridge was hurt.
As the injured recover and the tall ship is repaired, the brooklyn bridge ship crash stands as a stark reminder of maritime hazards in one of the world’s busiest waterways.
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