Eyewitnesses couldn’t believe their eyes: the proud Mexican Navy training ship Cuauhtémoc crashed head-on into the world-famous Brooklyn Bridge as it left Manhattan Harbor – 19 people were injured and two died.

The New York Post was immediately at the scene of the accident and spoke to several eyewitnesses: Ismari Romero (43) and her sister Miriam (50) had previously been in close contact with some of the 277 crew members of the three-masted ship. While the traditional ship was moored at South Street Seaport this week, the two sisters had shown some of the cadets around New York – a heartwarming encounter that culminated in an emotional farewell at Pier 17.

“We sang, celebrated, waved. It was a wonderful moment,” Ismari reports. ”And suddenly, as the ship was passing under the bridge, there was a crash. The mast broke off. It was terrible. Everyone was screaming, many were crying. We just thought: How could this happen?”

19 injured, two fatalities

The accident occurred as the Cuauhtémoc was continuing its journey along the East River. The ship, which is over 40 meters high, collided with an arch of the Brooklyn Bridge, one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Videos show the imposing, festively illuminated mast buckling and parts of the ship being damaged.

According to authorities, the collision left 19 people injured, two of whom are in critical condition, and two dead. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

The Cuauhtémoc, named after the last Aztec ruler, was built in Spain in 1982 and has been used exclusively for training marines ever since. The ship’s current eight-month training voyage will take it to 22 ports in 15 countries – after stops in Jamaica, Iceland, and Portugal, New York was its third port of call.

“It was a great honor for us that the training ship anchored in New York,” said Ismari Romero, who emphasized how proud she is of the Mexican Navy. ”I myself have a son who serves as a soldier in the US Marines. For me, this visit was something very personal.”

The visit of the Cuauhtémoc was also intended as a prelude to next year’s major Sail4th event, a large-scale maritime event celebrating America’s 250th Independence Day. The Mexican Navy describes the mission of the training ship as a symbol of “the spirit of seafaring, the promotion of maritime education, and the spread of peace and friendship throughout the world.”

Image:
APA