Devastating aircraft Along the coast of Roatan, Honduras, he left at least 12 people killed, including an American citizen and beloved Hondur musician and politician Aurelio Martinez.
The Lanhsa Airline Jetstream Airlines just took off from Roatán, a popular tourist destination in the Caribbean, on Monday night, when it is reported that it suffered mechanical damage and submerged in the sea just minutes later.
According to Honduran authorities, the aircraft transported 14 passengers and three crew members. Five survivors were rescued by the remains, while one body remains inseparable, as search efforts continue.
A tragic plane with the shore of Honduran kills 12
Among the deceased is Aurelio Martinez, a 56 -year -old, legendary musician and politician from Garifun, whose impact on Hondur culture was widely recognized.
Martinez was a famous voice in the music scene of Garifuna, an Afro-Correas community with roots traced to St. Vincent, whose ancestors were imprisoned in Honduras in the 18th century. His group Lita Arira was one of the first Garífuna groups to achieve international recognition, according to the center of Kennedy.
Later in his career, Martinez went into politics, serving as a representative at the Hondura National Congress.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize was among those who paid tribute, calling it “a great friend of Belize and a true champion of Garífuna Culture and Music.”
“His passage leaves a void in the world of music and culture, but his inheritance will live in the hearts of all who loved his art and his people.”
Passengers included American and French citizens
The flight manifest has revealed that passengers include an American national, French citizen and two minors.
Later, a spokesman for the State Department confirmed the death of an American citizen, offering condolences to the families of all victims. “We are expanding our deepest condolences to the victims and the families of all affected,” the statement said. “Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones, we have no more comments during this difficult time.”
One of the survivors, a 40-year-old French citizen, is reported to have been transferred to a San Pedro Sula Hospital for treatment.
Carlos Padila, a civil aviation officer, described how the plane flew, made a sharp right turn, and crashed into the water about 0.6 miles from the island.
A local fisherman, who was out at that time, avoided being hit by the falling plane.
“The plane almost fell on us. I fishing,” he told HCH TV, CBS.
Rescue efforts taken after a tragic plane crash
Authorities continue to seek a victim, but challenging underwater conditions have complicated efforts.
“It is difficult to access the scene of the accident because it has 30 meters (98 feet) rocks and you cannot get there by walking or swimming,” explained the captain of the fire of Roatan Franklin Borjas.
“The divers that help with rescue have zero visibility.”
The dramatic footage of the stage showed rescue workers frantically seeking the water for survivors. One video described as “rescue” by employees who captured the moment when a woman was drawn from sea to stretcher, although no additional updates were provided in her condition.
Honduran President is responsible
In response to the tragedy, Honduras President Siomara Castro issued a statement confirming that he “immediately activated” an emergency operation committee to deal with the crisis.
Roatán, the largest of Honduras Islands, is a major tourist center known for its stunning coral reefs and pristine beaches.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash as the nation mourns the life lost in this devastating tragedy.
The death of US aviation increased in 2025. After 19 deadly plane crashes
The United States was experiencing a sharp increase in lethal airline crashes in 2025, noting affecting aviation safety trends. So far this year, 19 fatal aviation incidents have occurred, leading to at least 106 deaths.
Before 2025, the last catastrophe of the fatal airline in the United States happened in 2009, while aviation aviation – like small private aircraft – reported most fatal catastrophes in recent years, this year’s incidents have raised an alarm due to their frequency and impact.
NTSB has confirmed that preliminary reports for each aviation incident in 2025 will be released within 30 days of the incident. However, complete investigations that determine the likely causes and contributing factors will take 12 to 24 months.
As aviation authorities continue their investigations, safety concerns remain high since the unexpected increase in fatal US crashes this year.