What caused the Mexican Navy ship to crash into the Brooklyn Bridge?
New York: A Mexican navy tall ship struck the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday evening, leaving two sailors dead and 19 others injured in a serious maritime accident under challenging tidal and wind conditions.
The vessel, the Cuauhtémoc, a 300-foot (90-metre) training ship, collided with the bridge at approximately 8:20 p.m. while reversing out of its berth near South Street Seaport. The ship, part of a 15-nation goodwill tour, had been docked in New York since 13 May and was departing the city when the incident occurred.
Drone footage and videos captured by bystanders show the ship moving in reverse at high speed before hitting the bridge, causing all three of its towering masts to collapse. Early reports suggest the engine may have malfunctioned, and there are questions about whether the tugboat escort, the Charles D. McAllister, disengaged too early.
Although the 142-year-old Brooklyn Bridge suffered no major structural damage, the collision caused a temporary halt to vehicle traffic on the span. The ship’s main mast, at 160 feet, exceeds the bridge’s clearance by around 30 feet.
According to maritime experts, the ship encountered a fast current, shifting tide, and 10 mph winds – a dangerous combination in the narrow, curved channels of New York’s busy harbour. Dr. Sal Mercogliano, a former mariner and shipping expert, said such conditions required careful timing and strong tug support. He added that leaving port during an outgoing tide would have been more prudent.
Mexican authorities identified one of the deceased sailors as 20-year-old América Yamilet Sánchez, a naval engineering student from Veracruz. She reportedly fell from one of the masts during the accident. Her family has begun arrangements to repatriate her body.
The Cuauhtémoc was launched in 1982 and is a staple of international maritime events. The vessel is now moored at Pier 35 in Lower Manhattan while both U.S. and Mexican authorities carry out investigations. The U.S. Coast Guard has established a 50-yard safety zone around the ship.