A tragic plane crash near the Caribbean island of Roatan in Honduras has left twelve people dead, including a widely respected Garifuna musician.
The accident occurred on Monday shortly after the aircraft departed from Roatan International Airport. Moments after takeoff, the plane went down in the sea just off the island’s coast.
Among those killed was Aurelio Martinez, a prominent Garifuna singer known across Central America for preserving and promoting the traditional culture and music of the Garifuna people.
Aircraft Carrying 17 People
According to Honduras’ transport authorities, the aircraft belonged to the airline Lanhsa and was carrying 14 passengers and three crew members at the time of the crash.
Officials confirmed that twelve people lost their lives in the accident. The victims included two children, as well as one French citizen and one American national, according to reports cited by local media and national police.
The plane had been scheduled to fly to La Ceiba, a city located on the Honduran mainland.
Night Rescue Operation
Emergency services launched an immediate search and rescue operation after the crash was reported.
Photographs from the scene showed rescue teams working through the night, using flashlights and boats to recover victims from the water.
Authorities from both the police and the fire department coordinated the effort while continuing to search for the final missing passenger.
Difficult Weather Conditions
Local officials said the operation had been complicated by poor weather conditions in the area.
Franklin Borjas, a regional fire chief, explained that rough conditions at sea were slowing down the search and recovery work.
Roatan, the largest of Honduras’ Bay Islands, is a popular tourist destination known for its coral reefs and diving spots, attracting visitors from around the world.
Government Response
Honduran President Xiomara Castro confirmed that emergency response teams had been mobilized immediately following the crash.
She stated that the Emergency Operations Committee (COE) had been activated, bringing together multiple agencies including the fire department, armed forces, national police, Red Cross, and health authorities.
According to the president, the aircraft crashed approximately one kilometer from Roatan International Airport.
Hospitals in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba were placed on alert to receive injured passengers.
Officials say the investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
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