Witnesses say the plane made a sharp turn off the runway and plunged into the ocean.
At least 12 people have died in a plane crash off the Caribbean coast of Honduras.
A Lanhsa Airlines plane crashed into the sea within a minute of taking off from the Honduran island of Roatan on Monday night, local time, as reported by CBS News.
The plane was headed for the port of La Ceiba on the Honduran mainland.
Witnesses say the plane made a sharp turn to the right of the runway and plunged into the water.
Five people have been rescued and one person is missing, according to local authorities.
“It’s been difficult to access the accident (site) because there are 30ms of rocks and you can’t get there while walking or swimming,” Roatan fire captain Franklin Borjas told Reuters.
“The divers helping with the rescue have zero visibility.”
An investigation is underway into what caused the crash.
Among those killed was popular Honduran musician Aurelio Martinez. The 55-year-old was a proponent of the Garifuna ethnic group, which is of mixed African and Indigenous heritage.
In 2005, Martínez paused his music career to make history as the first Afro-Honduran elected to the national congress. Following the unexpected death of his fellow musician and friend, Andy Palacio, in 2008 at the age of 48, Martínez chose to fully return to music. His comeback featured international tours and songwriting workshops aimed at inspiring Garifuna youth.
“We’re devastated,” Martinez’s nephew Ángel Aparicio Fernández Martínez, also a musician who played with his uncle, said Tuesday. “He was the family’s pillar.”
Martinez’s representative, Helene Odile Guivarch, a French citizen, was among the survivors.
Others onboard are understood to be a US national and two minors.
Honduran President Xiomara Castro “immediately activated the Emergency Operations Committee team”, she said on social media.
The team is made up of armed forces, firefighters and police, the Permanent Contingency Commission which co-ordinates disaster relief, the Red Cross, the Ministry of Health and the national airport service.
“They have immediately arrived at the scene of the plane crash … and are tirelessly assisting in the unfortunate accident,” Castro said.
“The public hospitals in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba are now ready to treat injured passengers.“
Luck Level of the 12 Zodiac Signs
🔥 Aries (March 21 – April 19) – 85% Lucky
Your boldness attracts opportunities, but impulsive decisions can shake your luck. Trust your instincts, but don’t rush!
🐂 Taurus (April 20 – May 20) – 75% Lucky
Steady and patient, your luck builds over time. Good fortune comes through persistence and hard work.
👯 Gemini (May 21 – June 20) – 90% Lucky
Your quick wit and adaptability make you lucky in social situations. Just don’t overthink, or you might miss golden chances!
🦀 Cancer (June 21 – July 22) – 70% Lucky
Your emotions guide your luck. When you trust your gut, good things happen. But mood swings can cloud your blessings.
🦁 Leo (July 23 – August 22) – 95% Lucky
You shine like the sun! Luck naturally follows you, but don’t get too confident—humility keeps fortune on your side.
🌾 Virgo (August 23 – September 22) – 65% Lucky
Your meticulous planning makes your own luck. Just don’t stress over perfection—sometimes, luck is about letting go.
⚖️ Libra (September 23 – October 22) – 80% Lucky
Your charm attracts good fortune. The key? Make decisions faster, or luck might slip through your fingers!
🦂 Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) – 70% Lucky
Mysterious and strategic, your luck is hidden but powerful. Trust the process, and success will come your way.
🏹 Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) – 98% Lucky
The luckiest of all! Adventure and optimism bring fortune your way—just be careful not to push it too far!
🐐 Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) – 60% Lucky
Hard work beats luck for you. Success takes time, but when it comes, it’s well-earned and long-lasting.
🌊 Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) – 85% Lucky
Your innovative ideas attract luck in unexpected ways. Stay open to surprises, and fortune will favor you.
🐟 Pisces (February 19 – March 20) – 75% Lucky
Your intuition is your superpower. Follow your dreams, and luck will follow you. Just don’t get lost in fantasy!