Daijiworld Media Network - Galveston
Galveston, Dec 23: At least five people were killed after a small Mexican Navy aircraft carrying a medical patient crashed near Galveston along the Texas coast on Monday, triggering a search and rescue operation in nearby waters, officials said.
According to Mexico’s Navy, eight people were on board the aircraft, including four naval officers and four civilians, one of whom was a child. The aircraft was reportedly engaged in a medical mission at the time of the crash. It was not immediately clear which of those on board were among the fatalities.
Two of the civilians were members of the Michou and Mau Foundation, a non-profit organisation that provides medical assistance to Mexican children suffering from severe burn injuries.
US Coast Guard Petty Officer Luke Baker confirmed that five people had lost their lives in the incident. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
The crash occurred Monday afternoon near the base of a causeway close to Galveston, located about 80 km southeast of Houston. Mexico’s Navy described the incident as an “accident” and said a full investigation would be conducted to determine the cause.
The Navy also stated that it was assisting local authorities in the search and rescue operation. US agencies, including teams from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), have reached the crash site, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office said its dive team, crime scene unit, drone unit and patrol officers were deployed at the location. Officials urged the public to avoid the area to allow emergency responders to carry out their duties safely.
While it remains unclear whether weather conditions played a role in the crash, the region has experienced persistent fog in recent days. A National Weather Service meteorologist said visibility had dropped to about half a mile around the time of the crash, with foggy conditions expected to continue through Tuesday morning.
Galveston is a popular island beach destination along the Texas coastline.