Emergency crews in New York are responding to an incident involving a tall Mexican Navy training ship, carrying over 200 passengers, that crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday evening (May 17). Multiple people were left injured in the incident, with CNN reporting around 20 injuries, four in serious, critical condition.
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The NYPD (New York Police Department) and Mexican Navy officials reported that the majestic Cuauhtémoc, an academy training vessel, was carrying a crew of 277, mostly cadets, when it struck the bottom of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York.
While speaking with CNN, Mexican Navy spokesman Captain Juan Caballero said the ship was on a training cruise, which takes place every year. Several videos going viral on social media show the ship’s three 147-foot masts striking the underside of the bridge and breaking off as the vessel tries to continue passing under the bridge.
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Reportedly, two sailors were on top of a mast as it hit the bridge, which has a max clearance of 135 feet. Pieces were seen falling and slamming down towards the deck of the ship. Meanwhile, no visible damage could be seen to the bridge itself, which was open and carried tons of traffic. As the incident progressed, authorities briefly shut the bridge down.
CNN reports that the boat hit the bridge around 8:26 p.m. After the collision, multiple people were seen receiving aid. Of the dozens injured, at least four people suffered serious injuries, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
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Mexican Navy Issues Preliminary Statement On Training Ship Slamming Into Brooklyn Bridge
While taking to X, the Mexican Navy released a statement in Spanish, translated to English it reads:
“During the departure maneuver of the Cuauhtémoc Sailboat in New York, an incident occurred with the Brooklyn Bridge that caused damage to the Training Ship, temporarily preventing the continuation of the training cruise. The status of the personnel and material is under review by naval and local authorities, who are providing support.”
Story still developing…
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