The bodies of the two Brooklyn Bridge crash victims have been sent home for burial.
América Yamilet Sánchez, 21, and Adal Jair Marcos, 22, were both killed when the Cuauhtémoc sailing ship crashed into the New York bridge on Saturday (17 May).
According to reports, 277 people were onboard the Mexican vessel and at least 22 were left injured.
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América was on one of the masts that hit the Brooklyn Bridge at the time of the accident.
The Mexican cadet originally came from Xalapa, east of Mexico City.
She trained at the Heroic Naval Military School in the fishing town of Antón Lizardo.
América was in her final year and only had to return from her training trip to New York to complete her studies, according to reports.
She was a renowned swimmer in her home state of Veracruz and won several national competitions.
Her body is expected to arrive in her hometown today (19 May).
After leaving New York, her remains will arrive at the naval air base where a private ceremony will be held in her honour at around 3pm.
Her body will then be transferred to Xalapa for burial, as reported by Need To Know.
América’s family has already prepared her funeral and is now awaiting the arrival of her body.
Her great-aunt María del Rosario Hernández Jácome said: “If there were any failures caused by the Mexican Navy or the US authorities, let there be justice!”
“May her body be returned to us immediately, here with her family, and may she never be forgotten.”
Adal also had a bright future ahead of him before tragedy struck.
The young cadet, who originally came from San Mateo del Mar in Oaxaca State, had reportedly spent the last nine months at sea.
Adal posted photos of him visiting numerous parts of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Hawaii, and French Polynesia.
Close friend Julio César López said: “Two months ago you gave me a T-shirt of the ship you loved the most, and now you’re no longer with us.
“God bless you up there and I hope I see you again and we can share locker rooms once more.”
An investigation into the cause of the Brooklyn Bridge crash is ongoing.
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