Tragedy Strikes Twice: Military Helicopter Crash Kills 14 in Quake-Hit Mexico
In the aftermath of a powerful earthquake that rattled southern Mexico on Friday, terrified residents near the epicenter sought refuge under open skies or inside their vehicles, unwilling to return to damaged homes still vulnerable to aftershocks.
But what followed was an even more unimaginable tragedy—from above.
As government officials flew in to assess the earthquake’s destruction, their military helicopter spiraled out of control while attempting to land in the town of Jamiltepec, Oaxaca. The aircraft crashed directly onto a group of vehicles occupied by earthquake survivors.
Authorities confirmed that 14 people on the ground were killed in the crash, including at least three children. More than 20 others were injured, some critically.
Among the helicopter’s passengers were Mexico’s Interior Secretary Alfonso Navarrete and Oaxaca Governor Alejandro Murat. Miraculously, all on board sustained only minor injuries, according to official reports.
Navarrete later explained that the Blackhawk helicopter began to lose control at an altitude of about 100 feet as it prepared to land in a makeshift zone near the town, located roughly 20 miles from the earthquake’s center.
“This is a deeply regrettable event,” he told local media. “We are grateful the crash did not cause an even higher death toll, but the loss of any life is heartbreaking.”
On Saturday, Mexico’s Secretary of National Defense, Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda, visited the crash site and addressed the grieving community. Offering a solemn apology, he said, “This tragic event was the result of our mission to help. We fully accept responsibility and are committed to supporting reconstruction efforts and providing aid to those affected.”
What was meant to be a mission of help turned into a second catastrophe for the already-shaken residents of Jamiltepec—adding another layer of sorrow to an already dark chapter.