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The victims of the Brooklyn Bridge accident were identified as 20-year-old América Yamilet Sánchez from Xalapa, Veracruz, and 22-year-old Adal Jair Marcos from Salina Cruz, Oaxaca.
Adal Jair Marcos (L) and América Yamilet Sánchez | Image/X
What began as a routine departure on Saturday night ended in tragedy when the Mexican Navy’s tall ship Cuauhtémoc struck the Brooklyn Bridge, killing two young cadets and injuring at least 19 others.
The ship, which was on a goodwill tour, reportedly lost power and drifted backwards into the bridge around 8:20 pm, snapping all three of its masts and triggering panic aboard.
The victims were identified as 20-year-old América Yamilet Sánchez from Xalapa, Veracruz, and 22-year-old Adal Jair Marcos from Salina Cruz, Oaxaca. Both were in the ship’s rigging at the time of the collision.
This is insane footage of the Mexican Navy ship crashing into the Brooklyn Bridge.What would you even do if you were up on that mast?
— Bruce (@bruce_barrett) May 18, 2025
Who Were The Victims?
Sánchez, an accomplished swimmer and top student at the Heroica Escuela Naval Militar, had recently posted a photo in front of the ship just hours before the incident.
“I deeply regret the passing of Veracruz cadet América Yamilet Sánchez,’’ Veracruz Gov. Rocío Nahle García wrote on X. “My love, support, and solidarity go out to her family.”
Marcos, affectionately known as “Tyson” among his peers, was known for his extensive travels and dedication to the Navy.
According to the Mexican outlet El Universal, Marcos had spent the past nine months aboard the ship, travelling to destinations including Hawaii, Tokyo, New Zealand, and Australia.
The Cuauhtémoc, built in Spain in 1982, was carrying 277 crew members at the time of the crash on Saturday.
It was seen travelling swiftly toward the bridge near the Brooklyn side of the East River, when it collided with the bridge, causing three of its masts to snap and leaving some sailors dangling from harnesses.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the Brooklyn Bridge was spared major damage, but at least 19 people on the ship needed medical treatment after the crash.
Two of the four people who received critical injuries later died, he announced on Sunday morning.
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