Chiapas Plane Crash: Three Dead in Sterile Fly Operation

**Plane Crash in Chiapas Kills Three** A tragic plane crash in the mountainous region of Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico, near the Guatemalan border, claimed the lives of three individuals on June 6th, 2025. The aircraft, a Guatemalan-registered plane (TG-TJG), was engaged in a crucial mission to combat the spread of the destructive screwworm affecting cattle in the area when the accident occurred. The victims were swiftly identified as Carlos Eduardo Monroy Pinto, the pilot; Byron Eduardo Moran de Paz, the co-pilot; both Guatemalan nationals; and Lucio Alberto Robledo de Leon, a Mexican agricultural engineer working with the Mediterranean Fly Sterile Insect Technique program. The crash occurred around 8:45 am, shortly after takeoff from Tapachula International Airport. "The plane was carrying sterile flies as part of the fight against the screwworm," stated a representative from the Guatemalan Civil Aviation Authority in a press briefing. "This is a devastating loss for the community and the ongoing efforts to control the pest." The crash site, located on a dirt road connecting San Vicente and Pavéncul, attracted a large crowd of onlookers. Mexican authorities, including the Army, National Guard, Fuerza Inmediata Pakal, and Tapachula Civil Protection, quickly responded to the scene, working to recover the bodies and investigate the cause of the accident. The investigation is ongoing. This incident highlights the risks involved in essential agricultural operations and serves as a reminder of the dedication of those working to protect livestock and the environment.