A tragic aviation accident has claimed the lives of at least five people after a small Mexican Navy aircraft crashed into the waters off the Texas coast near Galveston. The plane was conducting a humanitarian medical flight at the time of the incident on Monday, 22 December.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The aircraft went down on Monday afternoon near the base of a causeway close to Galveston, approximately 50 miles (80.5 kilometres) southeast of Houston. Mexico's Navy confirmed the plane was carrying eight people: four Navy officers and four civilians, one of whom was a child. Among the civilians were two members of the Michou and Mau Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to assisting Mexican children with severe burns.
The US Coast Guard has verified that five individuals lost their lives in the crash. It has not yet been disclosed which of the passengers and crew members are among the fatalities. The cause of the accident is now under investigation by multiple agencies.
Search and Investigation Efforts
An extensive search and rescue operation is underway involving local, national, and international authorities. The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office deployed its dive team, crime scene unit, drone unit, and patrol officers in response. Teams from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have also arrived at the scene.
In a statement, the Mexican Navy said the plane suffered an "accident" while assisting a medical mission and confirmed they are collaborating with local authorities on the operation. The Sheriff's office stated, “The incident remains under investigation, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.”
Weather Conditions a Potential Factor
The popular beach destination of Galveston has experienced persistently foggy weather in recent days, which may have been a contributing factor. A meteorologist from the National Weather Service reported that around 2:30 pm on Monday, fog reduced visibility to about half a mile. These foggy conditions were forecast to continue through Tuesday morning, potentially complicating recovery efforts.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine the precise sequence of events that led to this devastating crash during a mission of mercy.
