A small Mexican Navy aircraft carrying a young medical patient and seven other passengers crashed Monday afternoon in waters near Galveston, Texas, killing at least five people and prompting an extensive search-and-recovery operation along the Texas coast, officials said.

Mexico’s Navy confirmed that four of the eight people aboard were naval officers and four were civilians, including a child. Two of the civilians were members of a nonprofit organization that assists Mexican children suffering from severe burns, including coordinating medical transfers to a hospital in Galveston.

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Luke Baker said at least five people aboard the aircraft were confirmed dead, though authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims or clarified whether additional passengers remain unaccounted for.

The crash occurred in Galveston Bay near the base of the causeway connecting Galveston Island to the mainland, an area close to a popular beach destination about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of Houston. Emergency responders, including local law enforcement, fire crews, and Coast Guard units, rushed to the scene shortly after the aircraft went down.

Search operations continued into the evening, with boats and aerial units scanning the surrounding waters. Officials said recovery efforts were complicated by water conditions and limited visibility, but crews remained on high alert to locate any remaining victims and secure debris from the aircraft.

In a statement, Mexico’s Marines expressed condolences to the families of those killed, saying they extend “their deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident.” Mexican authorities also said they are cooperating closely with U.S. agencies in the investigation.

The cause of the crash has not yet been determined. U.S. aviation authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, have joined the investigation to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, including mechanical factors and environmental conditions at the time of the crash.

Local officials urged the public to avoid the area as emergency and investigative teams continue their work. Further updates are expected as authorities release more information on the victims, the status of the recovery operation, and the findings of the ongoing investigation. (ILKHA)