Two sailors from the Mexican navy were killed and another 11 critically hurt when a sailing ship taking part in a promotional tour in New York City collided with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, according to Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum.
The Cuauhtémoc, an academy training vessel with 277 people on board, lost power and struck the bridge on Saturday with dozens of sailors stretched out across yardarms before the collision that snapped the vessel’s three masts.
The Mexican government said 22 crew members were injured, 11 of them critically, with nine in stable condition. It confirmed that the two who died were navy cadets – and that officials were taking steps to reunite survivors with their families.
Mayor Eric Adams said the vessel had a mechanical mishap and the pilot had lost power of the ship.
The Cuauhtémoc was taking part in an ongoing celebration of the 200th anniversary of the independence of Mexico – achieved from Spain in 1821 – and was to have visited 22 ports in 15 countries to “carry the message of peace and goodwill of the Mexican people to the seas and ports of the world.”
The 142-year-old bridge was spared major damage and was reopened after an inspection.
The Cuauhtémoc’s mast height was 158ft. However, the New York transport department’s website says the bridge has a 135ft clearance at its center.