Mexican Navy Training Ship Hits Iconic Brooklyn Bridge, 2 Dead & 22 Injured

A training vessel of the Mexican Navy crashed into New York’s Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday night, killing 2 and injuring almost 22 people, per reports.

The masts of the ship sheared as the 147-foot or 45 m masts were too high to pass the arched bridge at that particular point and ultimately toppled when the ship sailed beneath the iconic structure.

Videos circulating online showed the Cuauhtémoc, named after the last Aztec emperor, as it reached near the bridge over the East River.

The Mexican Navy announced on social media that several people suffered from injuries and 19 were getting medical care in local hospitals, of which 3 were critically injured.

A male marine and a female cadet succumbed to their injuries.

The Mexican Navy has opened an investigation to ascertain why the incident happened, saying that the injured are doing better now.

The U.S National Transportation Safety Board is also looking for clues and investigating the incident.

The New York Police said mechanical issues probably led to the crash; however, they did not provide any details.

Bystanders could be seen running and shouting in fear as the ship neared the bridge and came towards the shore.

The bridge is a famous tourist spot and was completed in 1883. It was once the largest suspension bridge in the world.

Fortunately, the bridge was not damaged and traffic reopened after a preliminary inspection.

The Foreign Ministry of Mexico took to social media and stated that the Mexican ambassador to the U.S and other officials were helping the affected cadets and were collaborating with local authorities for the same.

The Cuauhtémoc was constructed in Spain in 1981, per the South Street Seaport Museum and is a historic vessel. The museum said on its website that it was co-hosting the ship’s visit to New York, which was to end on Saturday evening. People were welcome to come aboard the vessel.

It was leaving from New York before going to Iceland, according to an official from the New York Police.

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Video credits: CBS News 

References: The Guardian, USA Today, Al Jazeera

Source: Maritime Shipping News