Not less than a dozen folks died after a aircraft crashed off the Caribbean coast of Honduras Monday night, authorities mentioned.
The aircraft crashed seconds after taking off from the Juan Manuel Galvez Airport on Roatan Island, in keeping with the nation’s Civil Aeronautics Company. Its vacation spot was meant to be the close by island of La Ceiba.
Honduran President Xiomara Castro mentioned the wreckage was discovered lower than a mile off the coast of Roatan Island.
Two crew members and 15 passengers have been onboard the small plane, a Jetstream 32 operated by Honduran airline Lanhsa, in keeping with the aeronautics company.
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Rescue operations are underway within the aftermath of a aircraft crash in Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras, on March 17, 2025. (Policia Nacional de Honduras/Handout)
These aboard the aircraft included an American national, a French nationwide and two minors, Reuters reported, citing the flight manifest proven by native media.
5 folks have been rescued from the incident, however one stays lacking, Honduran firefighters mentioned.
Native firefighters mentioned among the many lifeless was well-known Honduran musician Aurelio Martinez Suazo, in keeping with Reuters.
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Rescue groups carry a survivor of a Honduran aircraft crash right into a jet on Roatan Island on March 17, 2025. (Armed Forces of Honduras/Handout)
The accident was reportedly attributable to a suspected mechanical failure of the plane, Roatan Mayor Ronnie Richard McNap Thompson mentioned.
Fox Information reached out to Lanhsa Airlines for extra data however didn’t instantly obtain a response.
Civil aviation official Carlos Padilla informed AFP information company that the aircraft “made a pointy flip to the best of the runway and fell into the water,” CBS reported.
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Rescue groups work within the aftermath of a aircraft crash close to Roatan Island, Honduras, on March 17, 2025. (Nationwide Police of Honduras/Handout)
The federal government of Honduras activated a number of emergency providers, together with the Armed Forces, firefighters and police.
“The Authorities of Honduras deeply regrets the tragic accident in Roatan,” the federal government mentioned in a submit on X Monday.
The armed forces additionally mentioned in a submit on X that “speedy response groups proceed working within the space to safeguard the lives of these affected.”
Dramatic video of the incident exhibits emergency crews conducting rescue efforts from the sea.
Roatan Hearth Capt. Franklin Borjas informed Reuters the survivors have been transported to a close-by hospital however famous that hostile situations difficult the search and rescue efforts on Monday.
“It has been troublesome to entry the accident [site], as a result of there are 30 meters [98 feet] of rocks, and you’ll’t get there whereas strolling or swimming,” Borjas mentioned on Monday evening. “The divers serving to with the rescue have zero visibility.”
Firefighters mentioned efforts to seek out the only real lacking passenger will proceed Tuesday when climate and visibility situations are anticipated to enhance.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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