Leaving two dead and several injured, a Mexican Navy ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge.
A Mexican Navy training ship collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York Harbor on the weekend, leading to the deaths of two individuals and the injuries of 19 others.
On Saturday, May 17, the 277-person tall ship Cuauhtémoc tried to sail underneath the historic bridge and had the accident. Initial reports say that the ship set sail from Manhattan just before it had a mechanical setback and lost its power.
According to the authorities, the ship was not meant to pass under the bridge and got pulled away. It then tried to turn away. Unfortunately, the height of the masts made it impossible for the vessel to pass under the bridge. Once the ship was reversing, the masts hit the structure which made one part of the rigging collapse.
According to Police Chief Wilson Aramboles, the failure of the engine left those on board unable to control the ship where it was headed. Due to the masts being incompatible with the bridge height, they created major danger as the ship grew closer.
Eric Adams, the mayor of New York, confirmed that two people had passed away and two more were critically injured. Adams said, “We are praying for all the travelers and their families involved in this crash.” “We also want to thank our first responders for acting quickly and preventing the situation from getting worse.”
The mayor indicated that the inspection did not show any damage to the Brooklyn Bridge and the bridge has since been open for the community.
The Mexican President sent words of sympathy after the accident, grieving the loss of two crew members on the Cuauhtémoc. She expressed her thoughts, saying, “Our hearts are with their families.” The Mexican Navy is said to be offering medical support and is collaborating closely with local officials in New York for those affected.
Those on the ground watched as the ship drew close to the bridge in a thrilling way. As Flavia Moreira walked by, she realized the boat was moving too close to where people were swimming. Reporters were told by her, “It kept getting closer and closer.” When the quake took place, I saw people jump and try hard to not fall down. It looked like some of the people were swinging from the masts.
It was later revealed that one of the people killed had fallen from one of the ship’s masts after the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board has begun looking into the details of the accident and deciding if further safety steps are necessary for naval ships visiting the U.S. in the future.
The Cuauhtémoc is recognized globally for its role in the Mexican fleet and embarks on trips across the world for training and contacts with other countries. The tragic event has overshadowed what was meant to be a friendly visit for both countries.
