The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating a deadly crash involving the Mexican navy’s Cuauhtemoc training vessel, which struck the Brooklyn Bridge in New York Harbor on Saturday. The incident occurred as part of an international goodwill voyage through U.S.-Canada waters prior to the ship’s departure back home via Iceland later this week.
Incident Timeline
- The ship departed from its mooring at Pier 15 near South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan at 11:30 a.m..
- It struck the bridge less than five minutes later.
- The ship had been docked for several days before its journey.
A radio call for help from additional tugboats went out just under a minute before the crash, but it remains unclear who made that request or what kind of assistance was being sought.
"We don’t know who made that request or what kind of assistance was being sought," said Brian Young, chief investigator for NTSB.
"We will not be drawing any conclusions," added NTSB Board Member Michael Graham during an initial briefing on Monday morning. "We will not speculate."
Investigation Status
The investigation is ongoing, and officials have yet to board and inspect Mexico’s tallest warship due to a lack of permission from Mexico’s government. They have also not interviewed Captain Juan Carlos Alvarado Pineda or his crew members, including two harbor pilots who were working alongside him when he steered the ship away from its mooring.
Casualties and Witness Accounts
- Seven people died in the accident.
- Nearly three dozen others were injured.
Witnesses have described the chaotic scene following the collision. Maria Rodriguez, a witness, recounted her experience:
"It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before," she said. "I heard people screaming."
Rodriguez described seeing debris flying everywhere as she walked across one side of the Brooklyn Bridge with her husband early Saturday afternoon. She also saw bodies lying on the ground after the crash.
The incident has raised questions about safety protocols and communication among vessels operating in busy waterways.
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