A tragic maritime accident involving the Mexican Navy sailing vessel ARM Cuauhtémoc occurred when it crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in the deaths of two crew members and injuries to over twenty others. Investigations are ongoing as authorities seek to determine the cause of the incident.
Tragic Collision: Mexican Navy Ship Hits Brooklyn Bridge, Two Lives Lost
Tragic Collision: Mexican Navy Ship Hits Brooklyn Bridge, Two Lives Lost
The ARM Cuauhtémoc, a Mexican Navy sailing ship on a goodwill voyage, crashes into the Brooklyn Bridge, leading to fatalities and injuries among crew members.
A maritime tragedy unfolded on Saturday night when the Mexican Navy's training ship, ARM Cuauhtémoc, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, leading to the deaths of two sailors and injuries to at least 22 others. The vessel, which had 277 people aboard, including 175 cadets, was on an international goodwill tour, with New York as one of its main stops.
The two cadets who died were identified as 20-year-old América Yamileth Sánchez Hernández and 23-year-old Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos. Their passing has sent ripples of sorrow through the naval community and their families, with Sánchez Hernández's uncle expressing the family's devastation at her unexpected death just a day after receiving joyous photos from her visit to Central Park.
According to witnesses and videos circulating on social media, the accident occurred without prior warning. Early investigations suggest a possible malfunction with the ship’s propellant system, leading to speculation that it may have been reversing at the time of the collision. Senator Charles Schumer noted that the vessel did not have a tugboat assisting it beforehand, contradicting certain circulating narratives showing a tugboat arriving after the fact.
In response to the incident, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a collaborative investigation involving the Mexican Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and the National Transportation Safety Board to determine the precise cause of the accident—whether it was due to mechanical failure, conditions of the waterways, or human error.
The ARM Cuauhtémoc, a 300-foot-long ship known for training naval cadets, has been an iconic vessel for the Mexican Navy, representing friendship and cultural exchange around the globe. As the investigations continue, both countries are grappling with the aftermath of this tragic event that marred a mission of goodwill.
