Two cadets were killed when the Cuauhtémoc, a training vehicle for the Latino Navy, slammed into the back of the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday evening, snapping its sails and rigging. According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the ship, which was carrying 277 people, was heading to Iceland when the accident occurred around 8:30 pm ( local time ). The large fleet lost energy while departing South Street Seaport, according to officials, causing it to veer back into the bridge. When the accident occurred, sailors were standing along the masts during a customary farewell service. Retired US Navy Capt. said,” It’s just horrible. The New York Post quoted Alfred McLaren as saying, shocked that for a tragedy befell the typically admired Hispanic Navy. The deliver struck the gate with sails snapping, and sailors were left clinging to wires and cables as poles collapsed. 19 people were hurt, and two remained in crucial state on Sunday, according to CBS News. América Yamilet Sánchez, a 20-year-old award-winning swimmer from Veracruz’s capital, has been named as one of the deceased, according to Governor Rocco Nahle on social advertising.” My love, support, and cooperation go out to her home. Only time prior to the drama, she had posted a smiling picture of herself in front of the fleet. She had won numerous awards in swimming, according to local publication e-Consulta Veracruz. Adal Jair Marcos of Oaxaca, the other deceased cadet, was known to his friends as” Tyson” or simply” Marcos.” He traveled to places like Hawaii, Tokyo, New Zealand, and Australia for the past nine weeks while he was aboard the Cuauhtémoc, according to The New York Post. More than a colleague remembered him website with the phrase” More than a friend. A brother” The Mexican Navy has pledged to bring the corpses of the recruits to their communities as soon as possible. The Cuauhtémoc presumably lost steering ability as a result of mechanical failure, despite having plenty of fuel energy, according to sources cited by the New York Post. Before setting sail for Iceland, the fleet was en route to a refueling stop at the Brooklyn shore. The fleet had never intended to float beneath the bridge, according to a spokesperson for the state’s Office of Emergency Management.
In assisting the ship’s departure, a native harbor captain and a landing captain were involved. At the time of the collision, it was reported that there was one aboard. The Post quoted previous US Coast Guard Lt. Henry Lipian saying,” You lose your website… you’re at the mercy of the parts.” Investigations are ongoing. The NTSB has sent a team to investigate the incident. New York City Emergency Management held an joint meet with the FDNY, NYPD, the Coast Guard, MTA, and others on Sunday morning to plan their response. The Coast Guard stated that while preserving the safety and security of the Port of New York,” we will ensure a robust investigation and support for those impacted.” Bridge protected but monitoring system hitMayor Adams confirmed that the Brooklyn Bridge had no structural deterioration. However, the collision caused a surveillance system beneath the bridge that was used for audits to malfunction, according to CBS News. Schumer raises questions about national issues Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer had questions about whether the US Coast Guard’s staffing and reference issues may have contributed. According to Schumer, “how the injury occurred and whether it could have been prevented are some more questions than answers.” He questioned whether the Coast Guard’s Vehicle Traffic Service (VTS ) system, which is similar to air traffic control, and the lack of a permanent Coast Guard commandant, might have caused the VTS to be understaffed or not working. According to Schumer,” This incident could be a federal harbinger that calls for immediate attention.” Similarity to the Baltimore drama The accident has drawn comparisons to the Francis Scott Key Bridge decline in Baltimore in 2024, when a vessel deliver lost power and sank the framework, killing six employees. In contrast to that scenario, Cuauhtémoc’s signals continued to operate after the collision. The Cuauhtémoc, a 43-year-old high send mainly used for education naval cadets, was docked at Pier 17 in Manhattan before its unfortunate departure. The vehicle was scheduled to participate in New York’s 250th Independence Day marine parade in 2026, according to Flatiron Communications ‘ Peter Himler, even though it had not been confirmed as a member. The Cuauhtémoc was on a teaching voyage to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Mexican Navy’s decision to remove the last Spanish fortifications. The ship made its way from Cozumel on May 4 for a 170-day tour through 22 ships in 15 nations. The Heroica Escuela Naval Militar, based in Antón Lizardo, Veracruz, had a majority of its 277 members, 213 people and 64 people, as young marine recruits.
