The investigation into the fatal accident involving the Mexican Navy training ship Cuauhtémoc, which collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, is currently underway by U.S. authorities in New York. The incident, which took place on Saturday night, resulted in the death of two individuals aboard the vessel and left at least 19 others injured. According to police reports, preliminary investigations revealed that the ship had experienced a loss of power before striking the bridge.
Footage captured by witnesses revealed the ship's three tall masts collapsing as onlookers observed from the shore with shock and horror. Details regarding the ship's approach to the bridge remain unclear, although officials confirmed that the bridge itself sustained no damage and was reopened to traffic shortly after the collision. The Cuauhtémoc's masts reached a height of approximately 48.2 meters (158 feet), exceeding the bridge's clearance of 41.1 meters (135 feet) at its center, as per information from the New York transport department.
Emergency responders successfully evacuated at least 27 individuals from the ship for medical assistance, with all 277 crew members accounted for, according to fire authorities in New York. Following the crash, the Cuauhtémoc lost all three of its masts and has since been relocated to a nearby pier for further investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced their deployment of a team to work alongside the U.S. Coast Guard in examining the incident, which will be conducted in collaboration with the Mexican government. Mexico’s Navy Secretary, Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, has assured that the results of the investigation will be handled with "total transparency and responsibility" as they seek to understand the events leading up to this tragedy.
The Cuauhtémoc had embarked from Acapulco, Mexico, earlier in April and was scheduled to participate in events including a Tall Ships race in Aberdeen, Scotland in July. As the investigation progresses, authorities remain focused on uncovering the root causes of this unfortunate incident.
Footage captured by witnesses revealed the ship's three tall masts collapsing as onlookers observed from the shore with shock and horror. Details regarding the ship's approach to the bridge remain unclear, although officials confirmed that the bridge itself sustained no damage and was reopened to traffic shortly after the collision. The Cuauhtémoc's masts reached a height of approximately 48.2 meters (158 feet), exceeding the bridge's clearance of 41.1 meters (135 feet) at its center, as per information from the New York transport department.
Emergency responders successfully evacuated at least 27 individuals from the ship for medical assistance, with all 277 crew members accounted for, according to fire authorities in New York. Following the crash, the Cuauhtémoc lost all three of its masts and has since been relocated to a nearby pier for further investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced their deployment of a team to work alongside the U.S. Coast Guard in examining the incident, which will be conducted in collaboration with the Mexican government. Mexico’s Navy Secretary, Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, has assured that the results of the investigation will be handled with "total transparency and responsibility" as they seek to understand the events leading up to this tragedy.
The Cuauhtémoc had embarked from Acapulco, Mexico, earlier in April and was scheduled to participate in events including a Tall Ships race in Aberdeen, Scotland in July. As the investigation progresses, authorities remain focused on uncovering the root causes of this unfortunate incident.
