What caused Mexican Navy ship to crash into Brooklyn Bridge? Everything we know after two people killed
A Mexican Navy ship has hit New York’s Brooklyn Bridge, killing two people and injuring 19.
The sailing ship Cuauhtémoc, which was due to leave the city, struck the bridge on Saturday night. Its three masts all snapped when it smashed into the world-famous bridge, with witnesses out for the evening describing chaotic scenes.
There were 277 people on board the vessel, with some crew left dangling from harnesses high in the air waiting for help. Multiple victims were rushed to hospital for treatment, some of them critical.
The 142-year-old bridge was spared major damage and investigations into what happened are ongoing.
Here’s everything we know so far.
The tragic incident unfolded at around 8.30 p. m. on Saturday night, on New York’s East River.
Bystanders on the Brooklyn waterfront caught the crash on camera, with footage showing crowds fleeing from the water’s edge as the ship’s towering masts collided with the bridge.
It appears to strike some type of scaffolding or gantry on the underside of the bridge, which can then be seen swinging.
Debris can be seen falling toward the deck of the ship, including portions of the masts, lights, and rigging. Crew members were standing on the masts as they snapped and fell on the deck.
The New York Coast Guard said the Cuauhtémoc lost all three masts and all personnel on the ship had been accounted for and no-one had fallen in the water.
The historic bridge did not suffer any major damage and was reopened after a preliminary inspection.
The two people killed in the crash were sailors, who have yet to be named.
At a press conference held by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, it was confirmed that there were 19 people injured, five critically. The mayor later said on X that two of the injured had passed away.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum mourned the loss of the two crew members.
