Authorities Reveal Cause of Brooklyn

A tragic incident occurred on May 17, 2025, when the Mexican Navy’s training ship Cuauhtémoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge shortly after departing Pier 17 in New York City. The vessel, carrying 277 people, lost steering control due to a power failure and was pulled by the river’s current into the bridge. Two crew members—20-year-old cadet América Yamilet Sánchez and 23-year-old sailor Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos—died after falling from the mast during the collision, while 22 others were injured. Emergency crews responded quickly, and investigations are underway by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), focusing on mechanical failures, environmental conditions, and crew procedures.

The ship, docked at Pier 36, awaits transport to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for repairs. The NTSB continues to gather evidence and awaits permission from Mexican authorities to access onboard systems. While most cadets have returned to Mexico, crew members remain in New York with support from city agencies. The Cuauhtémoc, a symbol of Mexican naval tradition and diplomacy since 1981, had been on a goodwill tour. Its future participation in international events remains uncertain. The crash underscores the hazards of naval training and the deep emotional and diplomatic impact such tragedies leave behind.