A Mexican Navy plane crashed into coastal waters near Galveston, Texas, killing at least five people while carrying out a humanitarian medical mission for a child burn victim.
The aircraft went down in thick fog on Monday afternoon, triggering an urgent rescue operation involving both US and Mexican authorities.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the international humanitarian community and raised fresh questions about aviation safety during emergency medical transfers.
What caused the Mexican Navy plane crash?
The aircraft disappeared from radar shortly after approaching Scholes International Airport in Galveston. Data from FlightRadar24 shows the plane was last tracked at 15:01 local time (21:01 GMT) over Galveston Bay.
While the exact cause has not yet been confirmed, early indications suggest severely reduced visibility caused by dense fog may have played a significant role.
Footage from the scene shows rescue teams struggling to operate in near-zero visibility as the wreckage lay partially submerged in water.
Who was on board, and why was the flight taking place?
The flight was part of a medical evacuation mission organised in partnership with the Michou y Mau Foundation, a well-known Mexican charity that supports children with serious burn injuries by arranging specialist treatment abroad.
The plane was transporting a child burn patient, along with medical and naval personnel, when the crash occurred. Such missions are often time-sensitive and emotionally charged, making the loss particularly devastating.
BREAKING: Heartbreaking Tragedy – Mexican Navy Plane Carrying Young Burn Victim Child Crashes into Galveston Bay, At Least 5 Dead in Medical Mission Gone Wrong 8 aboard (Navy officers + civilians incl. kid headed for treatment via Michou and Mau Foundation). pic.twitter.com/4JRJRzU22J
— Global Insight (@GlobalInsight20) December 23, 2025
In a public statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the foundation said: “We send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this tragedy.”
What do we know about casualties and survivors?
Mexican naval authorities confirmed that five people lost their lives, with one person still unaccounted for. Two others were rescued alive after being pulled from the wreckage.
Local emergency services, supported by the US Coast Guard, carried out search and rescue operations under extremely difficult conditions. Divers were seen entering the water near the airport as fog continued to limit visibility.
What did eyewitnesses see at the crash site?
Video footage shared with the Associated Press shows the aircraft almost entirely underwater as first responders searched for survivors.
Sky Decker, a local yacht captain who assisted police at the scene, described finding a critically injured woman trapped inside the aircraft:
“She had maybe three inches of air gap to breathe. There was jet fuel mixed with the water, and the fumes were really bad. She was fighting for her life.”
His account underlines just how narrowly some passengers escaped with their lives.
Is an investigation underway?
Yes. A joint investigation is now being carried out involving Mexico’s Secretariat of the Navy, US aviation authorities, the US Coast Guard, and local Texas law enforcement.
Investigators are expected to examine weather conditions, flight data, pilot communications, and the aircraft’s technical history. Any findings are likely to influence future safety procedures for international medical evacuation flights.
Why does this matter to a UK audience?
Although the crash happened in the United States, the story resonates in the UK due to the growing reliance on air ambulance and overseas medical transfer services.
British charities and NHS-linked providers regularly operate similar flights, often in challenging conditions.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by humanitarian aviation crews, even when flying to save lives.
