Two crew members of the Cuauhtémoc ship die after colliding with the Brooklyn Bridge. VIDEOS

The Mexican Navy confirmed this Saturday the death of two crew members of the Training Ship Cuauhtémoc , following the spectacular collision of the ship with the Brooklyn Bridge during its departure from the port of New York.

The ship, which was part of the training cruise "Bicentennial of the Consolidation of Independence at Sea," collided with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, causing severe damage to the structure of the sailboat and leaving a total of 22 people injured, 11 of them in critical condition.

The incident occurred during the port exit maneuver, as the vessel was making its scheduled voyage through international waters as part of a naval training exercise.

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According to an official statement from the Mexican Navy, the collision was severe enough to prevent the cruise from continuing and required immediate medical attention for the injured.

U.S. authorities responded to the emergency call, transporting the injured to local hospitals.

"The ship suffered significant damage that compromises its safe navigation. Therefore, the cruise has been canceled," the Navy reported in its most recent bulletin.

The agency detailed that arrangements are being made to facilitate the repatriation of the cadets and their early return to Mexico, once the medical and psychological condition of the affected crew members has stabilized.

The Navy also indicated that it is in direct contact with the families of the victims. The director of the Naval Academy is liaising with the families of the cadets, while the Commander of the Eighth Naval Region is doing the same with the families of the rest of the crew.

"We are providing all the emotional, medical, and logistical support the families need during this painful time," said Admiral Rafael López Galicia, spokesperson for the institution.

For his part, Rear Admiral Hugo Mendoza, head of international operations for the Navy, confirmed that a technical investigation will be launched in collaboration with U.S. maritime authorities to determine the cause of the accident.

"We are going to analyze whether there were human or technical errors, or unforeseen weather conditions that may have influenced the accident," he said.

Videos shared on social media show the exact moment the Cuauhtémoc sailboat collided with the Brooklyn Bridge.

In the images, captured by witnesses from the seawall and from civilian vessels, the top of the main mast can be seen hitting the bridge structure as the ship attempts to sail slowly across the East River.

The roar of the impact and the screams of those present can be heard clearly.

In another video shared via X (formerly Twitter), several sailors on deck can be seen losing their balance after the impact. Some fall to the ground, while others struggle to hold on to cables and masts. Minutes later, American rescue personnel board the sailboat to care for the injured, among whom were cadets in training.

The impact was brutal. A loud bang was heard, and then smoke was seen rising from the top of the ship,” said eyewitness Mark Reynolds, a freelance photographer who was at the Brooklyn dock capturing images of the training cruise.

For her part, Lorena Castañeda, a Mexican citizen living in New York, stated: "It was a scene of chaos and great tension. People on the ground were screaming and calling 911."

The Navy deeply regretted the incident and expressed its solidarity with the families of the deceased sailors.

"We are aware of the risks naval personnel face in their operations. We reaffirm our commitment to their families and will closely follow up on the investigations to determine the precise causes of this unfortunate event," the official statement concluded.

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The Cuauhtémoc Training Ship is one of the most representative symbols of the Mexican Navy. With over four decades of history, it has participated in numerous international cruises and training exercises.

ORP