A small plane crashed into the Caribbean Sea shortly after takeoff from Roatán Island, Honduras, killing at least twelve people, including U.S. citizens. The crash occurred when the aircraft made a sudden sharp turn off the runway and plunged into the water, according to civil aviation official Carlos Padilla. Eyewitnesses, including a local fisherman, described the terrifying moment as the plane narrowly missed striking nearby boats before falling into the sea.

Rescue operations were launched quickly but faced serious challenges. Roatán Fire Captain Franklin Borjas explained that rocky terrain and poor water visibility made it nearly impossible for rescue divers to access the site. One body remained unrecovered as of the latest update. In response to the tragedy, Honduran President Xiomara Castro activated an Emergency Operations Committee to coordinate between government agencies.

The transport ministry confirmed that the aircraft was carrying 14 people, including crew members. Sadly, among the victims was prominent Honduran musician and politician Aurelio Martínez. Martínez was a beloved figure in the Garífuna community, known for promoting Afro-Indigenous culture and music rooted in St. Vincent heritage. His passing is being mourned across Central America.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize paid tribute to Martínez, describing him as a “great friend of Belize” and a passionate advocate for Garífuna culture. His artistic and cultural contributions were widely celebrated, and his death has left a significant void in the region’s cultural landscape.

The cause of the crash is suspected to be a mechanical failure, though investigations are ongoing. Aviation authorities are expected to conduct a full review to confirm the cause and prevent future incidents of this kind.

The U.S. State Department confirmed the death of at least one American citizen in the crash and expressed condolences to the affected families, offering consular support where needed.