A Mexican Navy training vessel collided with the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday night, May 17, killing two people and injuring more than 20 others in what officials are calling a tragic accident.
The ship, named Cuauhtémoc, had 277 people on board and was participating in a global goodwill tour en route to Iceland when its 147-foot masts struck the bridge as it attempted to pass beneath.
The impact caused the masts to collapse, leading to chaos on deck and multiple casualties.
Authorities have since identified the two people who died as América Yamilet Sánchez, 21, a naval cadet from Xalapa, Veracruz, and Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos, from San Mateo del Mar, Oaxaca. As of Sunday, two others remained in critical condition, and 22 were reported injured.
What Caused the Collision?
Initial investigations point to mechanical failure and navigational error. According to New York Police Department Special Operations Chief Wilson Aramboles, the vessel lost power while departing from Manhattan, and a mechanical issue appears to have caused the ship to drift off course.
A spokesperson for the city’s Office of Emergency Management confirmed the ship was not meant to sail under the Brooklyn Bridge. Marine experts also cited tide and water conditions as contributing factors, according to ABC.
President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences in a statement on Sunday: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of two crew members of the Cuauhtémoc Training Ship. Our sympathy and support go out to their families.”
In Mexico, tributes poured in for the victims. Veracruz Governor Rocío Nahle paid respects to Sánchez in a statement on social media: “All my affection, support, and solidarity to her family. My recognition to the Navy, and my wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.”
The city council of San Mateo del Mar confirmed the identity of Maldonado Marcos, the second victim, in a Facebook post.
Friends and family are now demanding answers. Speaking to Reuters, Gael de la Cruz, a loved one of Sánchez, called for accountability.
Investigations Underway
Multiple agencies have launched formal investigations into the crash. On May 19, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed it has dispatched a team to New York to conduct a comprehensive safety investigation.
“The multidisciplinary investigative team is comprised of experts in nautical operations, marine and bridge engineering, and survival factors,” the NTSB said in a statement.
A press conference is scheduled for May 20, led by NTSB Board Member Michael Graham, at the Sheraton Brooklyn New York Hotel.
Meanwhile, the Mexican Navy has launched its own internal review. Navy Secretary Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles pledged that the investigation will be carried out “with total transparency and responsibility.”
As authorities continue to piece together what went wrong, both nations remain in mourning, and in search of answers.
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