The training ship Cuauhtémoc was approaching the Manhattan side of the bridge on the East River when the crash occurred. The online video captures this moment as a ship, named after the last Aztec emperor, trying to pass under the bridge. The mast stood at 147 feet (45 meters) and the ship failed to clear the arch of the bridge and hit it under it, causing the mast to collapse.
According to the Mexican Navy, 22 people were injured on board and 19 were treated in local hospitals. Three of them are reportedly in serious condition. Fortunately, no one fell into the water and no rescue operation was needed.
Is the bridge damaged?
Despite the huge impact, officials confirmed that Brooklyn Bridge had not suffered major damage. Traffic temporarily stopped after preliminary inspections by New York City’s transportation authorities, but has since resumed in both directions.
Video from near South Street Harbour (located at the bottom of the bridge) shows bystanders fleeing the giant ship crashing into the structure and turning to the dock.
Built in 1883, Brooklyn Bridge remains an important access and one of the most well-known landmarks in New York City. When finished, it is the longest suspension bridge in the world.
Meanwhile, the Mexican Foreign Ministry announced that its ambassador to the United States will work with other officials to assist injured naval cadets and coordinate with local authorities. Built in 1981 at the Celaya Shipyard in Bilbao, Spain, Cuauhtémoc has been docked in New York and co-chaired by the South Street Seaport Museum. Its next destination is Iceland.
