One of the two sailors who died when a Mexican Navy tall ship struck the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday night has been identified as América Yamilet Sánchez, a cadet from Veracruz, Mexico. The crash left nearly 20 others injured.
Veracruz Governor Rocío Nahle García confirmed Sánchez’s identity in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) Sunday. “I deeply regret the passing of Veracruz cadet América Yamilet Sánchez,” she wrote. “My love, support, and solidarity go out to her family. Veracruz is with you.”
The cadet was aboard the Cuauhtémoc, a Mexican Navy training vessel, when it collided with the bridge around 8:20 p.m. Video footage captured from the Brooklyn side of the East River shows the ship—flying a large Mexican flag—moving in reverse toward the bridge before its three masts violently snapped against the span.
Despite the dramatic scene, no one on the bridge was hurt and none of the 277 crew members aboard the ship fell into the water. All injuries occurred onboard, and the bridge sustained no damage. Heavy traffic was briefly halted but resumed after an inspection.
Witnesses reported seeing crew members hanging from the rigging following the crash. “There was someone dangling from the harness for at least 15 minutes before they were rescued,” said eyewitness Lily Katz.
Officials have said a mechanical issue may have caused the ship to lose control, though investigations are ongoing. New York City Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Kaz Daughtry called the crash “a complete accident,” but noted that the exact cause—whether related to the vessel’s propulsion or power system—would be determined by naval engineers.
The incident has also sparked political debate. U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) suggested that recent changes in U.S. Coast Guard leadership under former President Donald Trump, along with a federal hiring freeze, may have impacted maritime safety operations. In response, the Department of Homeland Security pushed back, calling Schumer’s claims “FALSE,” and clarifying that the Coast Guard was exempt from the freeze and that Vessel Traffic Services were not responsible for the crash.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged against politicizing the tragedy. “We regret that this is being used politically because it was an accident,” she said in a video released by El Universal.
The Cuauhtémoc, built in Spain in 1981, is a 297-foot-long training ship with a 160-foot mast. It serves as a floating classroom for cadets at Mexico’s naval military academy and had just arrived in New York on May 13 as part of a 254-day tour to 22 ports in 15 countries.
The ship departed from Acapulco, Mexico, on April 6. Following the crash, it was slowly moved up the East River late Saturday night with the help of tugboats and docked near the Manhattan Bridge.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), along with Mexican and other federal agencies, is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash and determine which authority will take the lead.
The Brooklyn Bridge, a national landmark that opened in 1883, remains a vital artery for the city. It carries more than 100,000 vehicles and 32,000 pedestrians daily and is one of New York’s most popular tourist destinations.
