Tragedy struck on Monday when a Mexican Navy aircraft on a humanitarian medical mission crashed into waters near Galveston, Texas, killing at least five people and leaving one person missing. The aircraft, which was transporting a child suffering from severe burns, went down in foggy conditions close to Scholes International Airport, according to officials.
Flight tracking data from Flight Radar shows the plane was last detected at around 3:01 p.m. local time over Galveston Bay before contact was lost. The mission was being carried out on behalf of the Michou y Mau Foundation, a well-known Mexican charity that supports children with life-threatening burn injuries by facilitating specialized medical care, often across borders.
Mexico’s Secretariat of the Navy confirmed that while five people lost their lives in the crash, two others were rescued alive. Search efforts are still ongoing for one missing individual, with operations being coordinated between Mexican authorities and the United States Coast Guard.
Video footage shared by the Associated Press revealed wreckage partially submerged in the water as emergency responders and police officers rushed into the bay to search for survivors. Rescue efforts were complicated by dense fog and poor visibility, creating extremely dangerous conditions for first responders.
A local yacht captain, Sky Decker, who assisted police at the scene, described a harrowing rescue attempt. He recounted finding a severely injured woman trapped inside the wreckage with only a small pocket of air to breathe. According to Decker, jet fuel had mixed with the water, producing intense fumes as the woman struggled to stay alive while rescuers worked to free her.
Earlier statements from the Mexican Navy indicated that search-and-rescue teams were immediately deployed following the crash, working closely with U.S. authorities. Video from near Scholes International Airport showed divers and emergency crews battling thick fog as they combed the area for survivors and debris.
In a public statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Michou y Mau Foundation expressed profound grief over the incident, offering condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. The organization described the crash as a devastating loss, particularly given the humanitarian nature of the mission.
As investigations begin, authorities are expected to examine weather conditions, flight data, and operational factors surrounding the crash. For now, the focus remains on recovery efforts and supporting the families affected by a mission that began with hope but ended in heartbreaking loss.