Two people are now dead after a Mexican naval ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday night, and an investigation into the tragic incident continues to unfold.
Mayor Eric Adams posted on X early Sunday morning that both of the deceased were crew members of the Cuauhtémoc when the training ship featuring two tall masts smashed into the deck of the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday night.
Of the 277 crew members on board the training ship, 19 have sustained injuries and two remain in critical condition. The Cuauhtémoc was on a goodwill tour promoting its participation in next year’s sesquicentennial celebration of America’s 250th birthday when it crashed into the iconic Bridge at around 8:20 p.m. on May 17. It departed from Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport.
An investigation is underway
NYPD officials explained during a press conference following the collision that the vessel lost power during its journey, and several crew members were on top of the masts when the ship hit the bridge.
“The pilot that was maneuvering the ship lost power of the ship, and the current mechanical function caused the ship to go right into the pillar of the bridge hitting the mast of the ship where there were a couple of sailors on top,” said NYPD Chief Wilson Aramboles of the Special Operations Division.
Aramboles said two sailors atop the masts were injured, but it is unclear if they are the same ones who died as a result of the collision.
Meanwhile, a deeper investigation into the cause of the crash remains underway by the National Transportation Safety Board.
NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) inspectors have been at the Brooklyn Bridge site to assess for structural damage to the cable suspension bridge, which has stretched across the East River connecting Brooklyn to Lower Manhattan since 1883. According to city officials, there are so far no signs of damage to the 142-year-old span.
“Following our preliminary inspection, we can confirm that the bridge sustained no damage and is now open to the public,” Adams said Saturday evening.
DOT officials could not confirm if more closures were planned as inspections continue.
The Brooklyn Bridge is about 127 feet above the East River; The ship has a mast height of 158 feet (48.2 meters), according to a press release about the vessel.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum posted on X about the tragedy early Sunday morning.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of two crew members of the Cuauhtémoc training ship, who lost their lives in the unfortunate accident in New York Harbor. Our sympathy and support go out to their families,” she wrote. “We are monitoring the situation, and the Navy will continue to provide updates.”
