Mexican Training Ship Cuauhtémoc Collides with Brooklyn Bridge Injuring 22
In a shocking incident early Sunday morning Swedish time, the Mexican training ship Cuauhtémoc collided with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, resulting in injuries to 22 individuals. The mishap occurred shortly before 2:30 AM, as the majestic vessel navigated the East River. Witnesses reported a dramatic scene as the ship's three towering masts, the tallest reaching nearly 45 meters, came into contact with the bridge span.
Of the 22 injured, 19 were transported to the hospital, with three individuals reported to be in critical condition. The Cuauhtémoc was carrying a crew of 277, primarily young cadets. The collision was witnessed by numerous onlookers along the shore who expressed shock and concern for those involved.
One witness recounted the harrowing moment, saying, "We saw someone dangling... we could zoom in on our phone and there was someone dangling from a harness at the top for at least a quarter of an hour before they could rescue them," during an interview with news station NY1. Fortunately, those on the Brooklyn Bridge at the time of the accident were unharmed; however, for safety measures and as part of the rescue operation, the bridge was closed for two hours.
Authorities have indicated that the captain of the Cuauhtémoc lost control of the vessel during the maneuvering process. New York police officer Wilson Aramboles suggested that mechanical issues, specifically a loss of power to the engine, likely contributed to the unfortunate accident. The ARM Cuauhtémoc, measuring 297 feet (over 90 meters) in length, was launched in its home port of Acapulco in 1982 and had arrived at South Street Seaport in New York on May 13.
The current voyage is part of an annual training demonstration tour that commenced on April 6 and is set to include several destinations, including Reykjavik and Dunkirk. As investigations into the cause of the collision continue, the incident has raised significant concerns regarding maritime safety in busy urban waterways.
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