Brooklyn Bridge strike: NTSB sends ‘go-team’ to probe Mexican navy ship crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced on Sunday that a \”go-team\” would be deployed to the Brooklyn Bridge following a tragic incident involving a Mexican navy sailing ship. The collision resulted in the deaths of at least two people on board the vessel.

The U.S. government agency, responsible for investigating major transportation accidents, did not provide detailed information about the deployment of the \”go-team\” initially, but promised updates would be forthcoming. New York City Mayor Eric Adams revealed that the Mexican navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc had lost power, leading to the crash into the Brooklyn Bridge.

Of the 277 individuals on board the ship, 19 sustained injuries, with 2 remaining in critical condition and 2 tragically losing their lives as a result of the accident. Mayor Adams confirmed that the bridge itself did not sustain any damage and was subsequently reopened to the public.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences for the loss of the two crew members and extended support to their families. She mentioned that the Secretariat of the Navy, along with local authorities, were providing assistance to the injured. The Mexican Ambassador to the United States and staff from the Consulate General of Mexico in New York were also aiding in the efforts.

The Mexican navy disclosed that the ship involved in the collision was an academy training vessel. The incident occurred during a departure maneuver as part of an instructional cruise titled, \”Bicentennial of the Consolidation of Independence at Sea.\” The exact cause of the collision is still under investigation, and the ship was supposed to be en route to Iceland at the time of the crash.

Eyewitness videos captured the ship, adorned with a large Mexican flag, reversing swiftly towards the Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in the snapping of its three masts upon impact with the span. Despite the damage, no individuals fell into the water, and there were no reported injuries among those on the bridge itself.

The Cuauhtémoc, measuring nearly 297 feet long and 40 feet wide, was first launched in 1982 and is utilized for training cadets. Each year, the vessel embarks on a journey to complete cadet training, leaving the Mexican port of Acapulco this year on April 6 and arriving in New York City on May 13. The ship was scheduled to visit 22 ports in 15 nations over a 254-day voyage.

The exact reason for the ship veering off course remains uncertain, with initial reports suggesting a mechanical issue leading to a loss of power. The vessel was supposed to be heading out to sea from a Manhattan pier, and not towards the Brooklyn Bridge, according to New York Police Department Special Operations Chief Wilson Aramboles.

The Brooklyn Bridge, a historical landmark in New York City, underwent inspection following the collision, which temporarily halted traffic but resumed after clearance from city officials. The damaged ship was later moved up the East River, passing under the Manhattan Bridge before docking at a pier.

As investigations continue into the tragic incident, authorities are working diligently to determine the circumstances surrounding the collision and provide support to those affected by the tragedy.