A Mexican Navy aircraft on a medical transfer from Mérida crashed while approaching Galveston, Texas, killing at least five people. Mexico's Navy said four aboard were military personnel and four were civilians, including a child; two people survived and one remained missing. The flight was coordinated with the Michou and Mau Foundation to transport children to Shriners Children's Hospital. FAA and NTSB teams are on site and the cause of the accident is under investigation amid recent foggy conditions.
Mexican Navy Aircraft Crashes Near Galveston, Texas — At Least Five Dead
Mexico's Navy said the plane had an 'accident' during its approach to Galveston on the Texas coast but did not elaborate [File: Loren Elliott/ Getty Images via AFP]
A small Mexican Navy aircraft carrying a medical patient and seven other people crashed off the coast of Galveston, Texas, on Monday, killing at least five people, Mexican and U.S. authorities said.
Casualties and passengers: Mexico's Navy said four of those aboard were Navy officers and four were civilians, including a child. Two people survived the crash and one person remained unaccounted for, according to the Navy.
Official statements: The Mexican Marine Corps expressed sympathy for the victims, offering 'its deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident.' U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Luke Baker told The Associated Press that at least five people on board had died, though he did not identify which passengers were among the fatalities.
Flight and mission details: Flight-tracking service FlightRadar shows the aircraft departed Mérida in Mexico's Yucatán state at 18:46 GMT and was last recorded at 21:01 GMT over Galveston Bay near Scholes International Airport. Mexico's Navy said the plane was on a medical mission coordinated with the Michou and Mau Foundation to transfer severely burned children to Shriners Children's Hospital in Galveston.
Response and investigation: Teams from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have arrived at the scene, the Texas Department of Public Safety said. The Galveston County Sheriff's Office deployed its dive team, crime-scene unit, drone unit and patrol officers to assist with recovery and investigation. An NTSB spokesperson said the agency was aware of the accident and was gathering information.
Weather and other factors: Authorities have not confirmed whether weather played a role. The area had experienced fog in recent days; a National Weather Service meteorologist reported that fog moved in at about 2:30 p.m. local time (20:30 GMT) on Monday, reducing visibility to roughly a half-mile (0.8 km).
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Officials said they will release further details as search, recovery and investigative efforts continue.
