What prompted Mexican Navy ship to crash into Brooklyn Bridge? Everything we all know | EUROtoday

A Mexican navy coaching ship hit the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on Saturday, killing two individuals and injuring 19.

The crusing ship Cuauhtémoc was supposed to go away town and sail out to sea when it struck the bridge on Saturday night. Its three masts snapped when it smashed into the world-famous bridge, with witnesses describing the sudden chaotic scene.

There had been 277 individuals on board the vessel when it collided with the bridge. In movies of the incident, crew members had been seen standing atop the rung of the mast may very well be seen clinging to the mast.

Others had been left dangling from ropes ready for assist, whereas some had been left hanging from harnesses excessive within the air.

The 142-year-old bridge suffered “no significant structural damage,” the National Transport Safety Board confirmed at a press briefing Monday.

Here’s the whole lot we all know up to now…

What occurred?

The incident unfolded shortly earlier than 8:30 p.m. Saturday on New York’s East River.

The Cuauhtémoc coaching vessel was on a goodwill tour and supposed to move out to sea after stopping in New York City to refuel. But as a substitute of crusing south, the ship headed within the incorrect route towards the Brooklyn Bridge, metropolis officers stated.

Bystanders on the Brooklyn waterfront caught the second of affect on digicam, with footage exhibiting crowds fleeing from the water’s edge because the ship’s towering masts collided with the bridge.

The ship appeared to strike what gave the impression to be scaffolding or gantry on the underside of the bridge, which was seen swinging.

Debris fell towards the deck of the ship, together with parts of the masts, lights and rigging. Crew members, standing on the masts, clung to it because it braced for affect. Some had been lurched ahead however none fell into the water, opposite to earlier experiences.

The New York Coast Guard stated the Cuauhtémoc misplaced all three masts.

The historic bridge didn’t endure any main harm and was reopened after a preliminary inspection.

What do we all know concerning the victims?

The two individuals killed within the crash had been each crew members. At a press convention, New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed their deaths and that 19 others had been injured, 5 critically.

América Yamilet Sánchez, 20, of Veracruz, Mexico was recognized as one of many deceased cadets by the governor of Veracruz.

“I deeply regret the passing of Veracruz cadet América Yamilet Sánchez,” Rocío Nahle wrote on X. “My love, support, and solidarity go out to her family.”

The second sufferer has been named as Adal Jair Marcos of Oaxaca.

Marco was often known as Tyson to his associates and had been dwelling on the boat for the final 9 months of his life, experiences El Universal.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum mourned the lack of the 2 crew members.

“Our solidarity and support go out to their families,” Sheinbaum stated on X.

The most significantly injured victims had been on the mast on the time of the collision, officers stated. Adams stated the casualties had been taken to Bellevue Hospital for remedy.

What prompted the crash?

Investigations into the reason for the crash are ongoing. The National Transport Safety Board stated at Monday’s briefing that it will launch a preliminary report inside 30 days, including that it was too early to take a position or decide the trigger.

Adams stated the boat had a mechanical mishap that prompted it to veer into the bridge, after it set off from close by Pier 17.

The Cuauhtémoc was seen on Saturday transferring quickly in reverse towards the Brooklyn facet of the East River, heading straight for the bridge. Brian Young, the board’s lead investigator, stated that the ship requested help for tugboats at 8:24 p.m. Saturday and hit the bridge quickly after. The NYPD was on the scene by 8:30 p.m.

The captain of the ship informed authorities he misplaced energy of the ship, forcing it to move for the bridge abutment on the Brooklyn facet.

The security board stated it had not interviewed the ship’s captain or the crew as of Monday.

The Cuauhtémoc’s mast peak was 158 toes however the bridge has a 135-foot clearance at its middle.

What do we all know concerning the ship’s journey?

Each yr, the Cuauhtémoc, a Mexican naval coaching ship for the Mexico’s Heroic Naval Military School, units out on the finish of naval navy faculty to complete cadets’ coaching.

It deliberate to spend greater than 200 days away visiting 22 ports in 15 international locations together with Jamaica, Cuba, Scotland, Spain, Barbados, Iceland and London however the journey was unexpectedly reduce quick in New York.

This yr, it left the Mexican port of Acapulco, on the Pacific coast, on April 6, the navy stated. The Mexican consulate stated it arrived at Pier 17 on May 13 and invited individuals to go to by way of May 17.

The ship, which measures roughly 297 toes lengthy and 40 toes large, was about to go away New York City for a goodwill tour to Iceland when the incident occurred.