A Mexican Navy training ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge in New York on Saturday night, leading to the deaths of two people and injuries to many others. City officials said the ship was not heading in the right direction at the time of the accident.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams explained that the ship named Cuauhtémoc was carrying 277 people when it suddenly lost power and hit the bridge. The ship was part of a goodwill mission around the world and was sailing toward Iceland before the incident happened.
A senior city official mentioned that the Mexican Navy training ship was going the wrong way in the East River. The river’s current likely pushed it off its path. Although it was first believed that a mechanical issue may have caused the crash, investigations are still ongoing to find the exact reason.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum shared that a cadet and a sailor died in the accident. She spoke to the media on Sunday and called the crash a tragic accident. She added that the injured people are getting medical care and feeling better.
The President said both Mexican and U.S. officials are working together to figure out what exactly went wrong.
In a video shared online by El Universal, Sheinbaum mentioned that the Mexican Naval Secretariat would speak further on the issue soon.
After the crash, the U.S. Coast Guard set up a 50-yard safety area around the spot where the Mexican Navy training ship is now docked. Ships passing near Pier 36 are being asked to move slowly while the police keep watch day and night.
A safety zone was also created between the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge. Because of the crash, commercial boats are not allowed to move through that area for now.
The ship’s three masts were damaged during the crash. The Coast Guard confirmed the damage and said they send their condolences to the families of the two crew members who died.
Senator Chuck Schumer raised another important concern. He said the government must find out if past budget cuts to the Coast Guard played any role in this accident. Speaking in Washington, he said that staff shortages and canceled programs under the previous administration may have left the Coast Guard less prepared.
He also talked about the Coast Guard’s Vessel Traffic Services — which works like air traffic control, but for boats. If they didn’t have enough staff or proper communication, it could have made the situation worse.
Senator Schumer stressed that there are more questions than answers right now. He wants to know if this accident could have been stopped.
The Mexican Navy training ship Cuauhtémoc is now docked at Pier 36 in New York. Authorities are planning to move it somewhere else so repairs can begin. They want to fix the ship quickly so it can continue its journey.
Zach Iscol, a New York emergency official, said that the National Transportation Safety Board, the Coast Guard, and Mexican officials are all working on the investigation. But at the moment, the focus is on moving the ship safely.
Most of the crew members stayed onboard the ship Saturday night. The injured were taken to hospitals for treatment.
Iscol added that while the crash caused damage to the bottom part of the Brooklyn Bridge, the structure itself is safe. Engineers checked the bridge and said it’s still strong enough for use.
The crash has left many people shocked, especially since the Mexican Navy training ship is known for its peaceful tours and visits around the world. This accident turned a journey of goodwill into a heartbreaking event.
People are waiting for more updates as authorities continue to search for the truth behind what caused the tragic crash. The story has grabbed international attention, with many watching closely as details unfold.
For now, questions remain about how a well-trained crew on a global mission ended up facing such a disaster in one of the busiest cities in the world.
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