A plane operated by Honduran airline Lanhsa crashed into the Caribbean Sea shortly after taking off from Roatan Island on Monday night, killing seven people and injuring 10 others, according to Reuters.
The Jetstream aircraft was carrying 14 passengers and three crew members when it went down approximately 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) off the island’s coast.
The flight was en route to La Ceiba airport on the Honduran mainland when the accident occurred. According to the flight manifest, the passengers included a US national, a French national, and two minors. Among the victims was well-known Garifuna musician Aurelio Martinez Suazo.
Rescue efforts were hampered by adverse conditions, including rough terrain and poor visibility. Roatan fire captain Franklin Borjas explained that the crash site was difficult to access due to 30-metre (98-foot) rocky formations, making it impossible to reach by foot or swimming. Divers assisting in the rescue operations faced zero visibility underwater.
The survivors were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The cause of the crash remains unclear, and Lanhsa, the airline operating the flight, has not yet commented on the incident. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances leading to the tragedy.
Roatan, the largest of Honduras’ Bay Islands, is a popular tourist destination renowned for its vibrant coral reefs and pristine beaches. The island is a key hub for both domestic and international travel in the region.
