A Mexican navy training ship struck the Brooklyn Bridge late Saturday killing two naval cadets and injuring 19 others. Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the crash involved the tall ship Cuauhtemoc which carried 277 people on board. The accident occured 8:20 p.m. as the vessel mistakenly approached the bridge from the wrong direction.
The Cuauhtemoc docked at Pier 17 in Manhattan had planned a brief refueling stop along Brooklyn’s waterfront before heading to Iceland. Reports say the capitan lost control after a mechanical failure disabled the rudder and steering.
Eyewitnesses watched in shock as the 300 foot ship collided with the bridge snapping all three of its towering masts on impact. Sailors were visible on the rigging at the time of the crash. Two cadets, America Yamileth Sanchez, 20 and Adal Jair Marcos, 22 died due to injuries sustained in the incident.
Sanchez from Vercruz was reportedly high in the mast when it struck the bridge. Marcos hailed from Oaxaca. Family and friends if the victims have expressed heartbreak and demanded answers. The ship had departed Acapulco on April 4 and was set to visit 22 ports in 15 countries, including France, Norway, and the UK.
The mission aimed to promote peace and commemorate Mexico´s naval legacy. President Claudia Shienbaum expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the victims’ families. Videos circulating online show the ship’s masts shattering as they hit the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge. Despite the damage to the Cuauhtemoc city officials confirmed the 142 year old bridge remains structurally intact.
