A small Mexican aircraft, carrying a young medical patient and seven others, has crashed, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals. The incident occurred on Monday, December 22, near Galveston, with authorities currently conducting search operations in the waters off the Texas coast.
Mexico’s Navy has confirmed that among the passengers were four Navy officers and four civilians, including a child, although it has not been specified which individuals lost their lives.
Two of the passengers belonged to the Michou and Mau Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding Mexican children with severe burn injuries. The US Coast Guard has reported five fatalities from the crash, with investigations ongoing to determine the cause.
The crash took place on Monday afternoon in the vicinity of a causeway base near Galveston, along the Texas coast approximately 50 miles southeast of Houston. The Mexican Navy disclosed that the aircraft was engaged in a medical mission when the “accident” occurred, with efforts underway to assist local authorities in the search and rescue operation.
Following the crash, the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office mobilized its dive team, crime scene unit, drone unit, and patrol personnel to the scene. Additionally, representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are also present at the crash site.
As the investigation continues, the Sheriff’s office has stated, “The incident remains under investigation, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.”
The area has been experiencing foggy weather conditions in recent days, raising questions about its possible role in the crash. A National Weather Service meteorologist mentioned that around 2:30 pm on Monday, thick fog with visibility of about half a mile enveloped the area. The fog is expected to persist through Tuesday morning.