A small aircraft operated by the Mexican Navy crashed into coastal waters near Galveston on Monday, killing at least five people and triggering a search-and-rescue operation off the Texas coast, officials said.
Medical mission ends in tragedy
The plane was transporting a young medical patient and seven others when it went down near the base of a causeway along the Texas shoreline, about 80.5 kilometres southeast of Houston. Mexico’s Navy said four of those on board were naval officers, while four were civilians, including a child.
Two civilians were members of the Michou and Mau Foundation, a non-profit organisation that supports Mexican children with severe burn injuries. Authorities have not yet confirmed which of the eight occupants were among the fatalities.
Rescue teams scour coastal waters
The United States Coast Guard confirmed that five people were killed in the crash. Search operations continued in the surrounding waters, with multiple agencies deployed to the scene.
The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office said its dive team, drone unit, crime scene personnel and patrol officers were involved in the response. Officials urged the public to avoid the area to allow emergency crews to work safely.
Investigation launched by US authorities
Teams from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board arrived at the crash site to begin a formal investigation. Mexico’s Navy said the aircraft had an “accident” during a medical assistance mission and pledged full cooperation with authorities.
Weather conditions under review
While the cause of the crash remains unknown, weather conditions are being examined. According to the National Weather Service, the region has experienced persistent fog in recent days. A meteorologist said visibility dropped to about half a mile around 2.30 pm on Monday, with fog expected to continue into Tuesday morning.
Popular destination shaken
Galveston, a well-known beach destination, witnessed a large emergency response as debris was reported near the shoreline. Officials said further details would be released once preliminary findings are available.