Tragic Loss: Mexico Remembers Navy Cadets in Brooklyn Bridge Crash

Families and friends are mourning the deaths of two Navy cadets, América Sánchez and Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos, following a tragic ship crash into Brooklyn Bridge. An investigation is underway into the incident that caused the accident, which injured many others on board.

Mexican citizens are coming together in grief following the death of two young Navy cadets in a tragic accident involving their training tall ship, the ARM Cuauhtémoc, which collided with Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday. The victims, 20-year-old América Sánchez and 23-year-old Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos, were part of the ship's 277-member crew when its three large masts collided with the bridge, resulting in critical injuries to 22 other crew members.

Sánchez was reportedly positioned atop the masts when the accident occurred. Admiral Pedro Raymundo Morales of the Mexican Navy announced plans to return surviving crew members to Mexico as soon as possible. As preparations were made for Sánchez's body to be sent to her home state of Veracruz, her mother, Rocío Hernández, expressed her deep sorrow and pride for her daughter, who had aimed to become a naval engineer. Hernandez described América as "an exemplary daughter" and paid homage to her memory at an altar adorned with mementos.

Meanwhile, in the coastal town of San Mateo del Mar, friends and family remembered Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos, who had dreamt of becoming a sailor just like his father. Local media reported heartfelt tributes from friends, who characterized him as an intelligent role model whose aspirations were closely tied to the sea.

Authorities continue to investigate how the incident transpired, with preliminary reports suggesting the Cuauhtémoc experienced a loss of power which caused it to drift towards the bridge. With masts that tower over 48 meters, they struck the bridge, whose clearance is about 41.1 meters. Eyewitness footage captured the alarming moment, showing crew members in distress as the masts fell.

Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles from Mexico's Navy emphasized that the investigation would be conducted with complete transparency to establish the circumstances leading to this tragic loss. The Cuauhtémoc had set sail from Acapulco on April 6, with its journey including stops in New York and a Tall Ships race in Aberdeen, Scotland in July.