Majority of crew from Mexican Navy ship Cuauhtémoc involved in Brooklyn Bridge crash return home safely.

On Wednesday, it was confirmed by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) that the majority of the crew from the Mexican Navy training ship Cuauhtémoc, which collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, has safely returned to Mexico. Initially, several crew members were treated for injuries following the incident, which resulted in two fatalities.

In a recent interagency meeting, representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, NTSB, the ship’s contractors, and municipal officials convened to discuss repairing the vessel, addressing the welfare of the crew, and organizing tow logistics. According to Aries Dela Cruz, a spokesman for the city’s Office of Emergency Management, the support for the ship and crew remains a priority. The U.S. Navy is currently coordinating accommodations for the crew while repairs are being conducted. All injured personnel have been discharged from medical facilities and have returned to their homeland.

Plans for the ship’s repairs are being formalized to be submitted to the Coast Guard. The logistics for towing the Cuauhtémoc are also under development, and a critical underwater survey of the vessel’s hull is scheduled for the upcoming Saturday. Early assessments indicate that the ship did not sustain hull damage, allowing for its eventual relocation from Pier 37, located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, with the assistance of tugboats. The NTSB is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, particularly the potential existence of data recorders that could shed light on how the incident occurred.

As the ship undergoes repairs, it is anticipated that the Cuauhtémoc will be towed to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for dry-docking, where findings from the investigation will continue to guide restoration efforts. Rain and strong winds briefly delayed towing operations, but officials expect movement to commence by Sunday.

In a somber remembrance, a vigil is scheduled to honor the memory of the two deceased crew members, identified as America Yamilet Sanchez, aged 20, and Adal Jair Marcos, aged 23. Mayor Adams is expected to attend this event in Brooklyn. The pair lost their lives when the ship’s masts struck the bridge while they were aloft. Fortunately, no other crew members fell into the East River during the accident. The tragic event has deeply resonated with the Mexican community, prompting national mourning and calls for support for the victims’ families.