Twelve dead including famous singer in plane crash off remote island

A small aircraft crashed into the Caribbean Sea, resulting in the deaths of at least twelve individuals, including American citizens. Civil aviation official Carlos Padilla reported that the plane “made a sharp turn to the right of the runway and fell into the water” shortly after takeoff, crashing off the coast of Roatan Island.

A fisherman who witnessed the incident recounted narrowly avoiding being hit by the plane as it descended into the sea.

Rescue teams conducted searches in the waters, with one body still to be recovered. Roatan Fire Captain Franklin Borjas noted the challenges in accessing the accident site, stating, “It’s been difficult to access the accident (site) because there are 30 meters (98 ft) of rocks and you can’t get there while walking or swimming.” He added that “the divers assisting with the rescue have zero visibility.”

Honduran President Xiomara Castro announced the swift activation of an Emergency Operations Committee, coordinating various agencies in response to the tragedy.

According to the country’s transport ministry, there were 14 individuals on board, including crew members. Among the deceased was Aurelio Martínez, a prominent Honduran musician and politician known for his contributions to the Garífuna music scene, an Afro-Indigenous community with origins in St. Vincent.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize honored Martínez, describing him as a “great friend of Belize and a true champion of Garífuna culture and music.” They expressed that “his passing leaves a void in the world of music and culture, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who loved his art and his people.”

Preliminary reports suggest that the cause of the plane crash was a mechanical failure. The State Department has confirmed the death of an American citizen and has extended condolences to the bereaved family.

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