TweIve People KiIIed, IncIuding a Well-Known Singer, in Plane Crash Near Remote Island
At least twelve people were killed after a small passenger plane crashed into the Caribbean Sea shortly after takeoff near Roatán, Honduras, officials confirmed. The aircraft reportedly lost control moments after departure, making a sudden turn before plunging into the water off the island’s rocky coastline.
Rescue and recovery efforts were hampered by rough terrain and poor underwater visibility, according to local emergency crews. Honduran President Xiomara Castro activated the Emergency Operations Committee, deploying military, police, medical teams, and aviation authorities to manage the response and investigation.
Among the victims was Aurelio Martínez, an acclaimed Garífuna musician, cultural leader, and former public servant, whose death has sparked mourning across Honduras, Belize, and the wider Caribbean. Authorities also confirmed at least one U.S. citizen was among those killed.
The plane was carrying 14 people, including crew. While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, officials say mechanical issues are being examined. The tragedy has renewed concerns about aviation safety in remote island regions with short runways and limited emergency access.
