{"id":24542,"date":"2025-05-19T15:05:36","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T19:05:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/multi.nycnewsnetwork.com\/brooklynbuzz\/mexican-navy-ship-strikes-brooklyn-bridge-leaves-2-dead-and-22-injured\/"},"modified":"2025-05-19T15:05:36","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T19:05:36","slug":"mexican-navy-ship-strikes-brooklyn-bridge-leaves-2-dead-and-22-injured","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nycnewsnetwork.com\/brooklynbuzz\/mexican-navy-ship-strikes-brooklyn-bridge-leaves-2-dead-and-22-injured\/","title":{"rendered":"Mexican Navy Ship Strikes Brooklyn Bridge, Leaves 2 Dead and 22 Injured"},"content":{"rendered":"

A tragic accident took place on Saturday night in New York Harbor as the Cuauht\u00e9moc, a renowned tall ship operated by the Mexican Navy, struck the Brooklyn Bridge. The ship was leaving Manhattan when the sailors on-board were performing a traditional farewell performance atop its towering masts when the disaster took place.<\/span><\/p>\n

Traditional Departure Turns Tragic<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Cuauht\u00e9moc was preparing to sail out of New York. A Mexican Navy tradition had the crew members strapping themselves to the ship\u2019s roughly 147-foot-tall masts in a ceremonial display.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cuauht\u00e9moc is a 43-year-old training vessel and is known for its dramatic entrances and exits. During those times, sailors can be seen standing in formation high above the deck on the masts.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, shortly after Cuauht\u00e9moc departed it reportedly lost power. According to the NYPD, strong winds and tides pushed the vessel north into the East River. This meant it was moving directly into the path of the Brooklyn Bridge, which only has a clearance of about 127 feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Around 8:20 p.m., the ship\u2019s masts collided with the bridge. Video footage from the horrifying moment showed sailors holding onto ropes as the masts snapped.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fatalities and Injuries Reported<\/span><\/h2>\n

The crash into the Brooklyn Bridge left two people dead and 22 others injured, including 11 critically. The two fatalities were 20-year-old <\/span>Am\u00e9rica Yamilet S\u00e1nchez<\/b>, whose death was confirmed by <\/span>Veracruz Governor Roc\u00edo Nahle Garc\u00eda<\/b> on X, and 23-year-old <\/span>Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

On X, Governor Garcia wrote, \u201cI deeply regret the passing of Veracruz cadet Am\u00e9rica Yamilet S\u00e1nchez. My love, support, and solidarity go out to her family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Authorities have confirmed that the vessel was carrying 277 sailors at the time of the crash.<\/span><\/p>\n

Key Safety Measures Were Missing<\/span><\/h2>\n

Senator Chuck Schumer<\/b> held a news conference on Sunday, where he criticized the absence of a tugboat escort. \u201cAt the time of the crash, the tides and wind were blowing up river, thus requiring the vessel to use its organic power or the assistance of a tug. The vessel did not use a tugboat’s assistance,\u201d Schumer said. \u201cUsually very often there is a tugboat before to help him get out, especially on a sailing ship.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Though a tugboat appeared near the Cuauht\u00e9moc during the incident, it arrived too late to prevent the crash. City officials said the responsibility for arranging a tugboat service falls to the Mexican Navy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Experts like <\/span>Capt. Tuuli A. Messer-Bookman<\/b> from the California Maritime Academy noted that ship captains and harbor pilots typically decide whether to use tug assistance. In New York Harbor, pilots are usually local experts familiar with tug availability and harbor conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

An Investigation Is Underway<\/span><\/h2>\n

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) dispatched investigators to New York on Sunday. The Cuauht\u00e9moc was secured at Pier 36 in Lower Manhattan as the investigation got underway.<\/span><\/p>\n

By this morning, more than 170 crew members had been flown back to Veracruz, Mexico. Two injured sailors remained hospitalized in stable condition in New York. The Mexican Navy is coordinating with both U.S. and Mexican diplomatic officials to support the crew and families of the victims.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Ship Symbolizing National Pride<\/span><\/h2>\n

Named after the last Aztec emperor, the Cuauht\u00e9moc \u2014 meaning \u201cDescending Eagle\u201d \u2014 is a symbol of Mexican heritage and pride. The ship has completed four global voyages and is used to train cadets in the values of \u201chonor, duty, loyalty and patriotism,\u201d according to the Mexican Navy.<\/span><\/p>\n

During its visit to New York, the ship hosted dignitaries and members of the media, extending goodwill on behalf of the Mexican government. The tragic events of Saturday have cast a shadow over that mission, prompting questions about safety protocols and the responsibilities of visiting foreign vessels in U.S. waters.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A tragic accident took place on Saturday night in New York Harbor as the Cuauht\u00e9moc, a renowned tall ship operated by the Mexican Navy, struck the Brooklyn Bridge. The ship was leaving Manhattan when the sailors on-board were performing a traditional farewell performance atop its towering masts when the disaster took place. Traditional Departure Turns […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5893,"featured_media":24543,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2717],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24542","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bk-news"],"yoast_head":"\nMexican Navy Ship Strikes Brooklyn Bridge, Leaves 2 Dead and 22 Injured - Brooklyn News and Events<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/nycnewsnetwork.com\/brooklynbuzz\/mexican-navy-ship-strikes-brooklyn-bridge-leaves-2-dead-and-22-injured\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mexican Navy Ship Strikes Brooklyn Bridge, Leaves 2 Dead and 22 Injured\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A tragic accident took place on Saturday night in New York Harbor as the Cuauht\u00e9moc, a renowned tall ship operated by the Mexican Navy, struck the Brooklyn Bridge. 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