A small plane plunged into the Caribbean Sea shortly after takeoff, creating a desperate rescue scene off the coast of Honduras.

According to Daily Mail, at least 12 people, including renowned Honduran musician and politician Aurelio Martinez, were killed when a Jetstream aircraft operated by Lanhsa airline crashed minutes after departing from the island of Roatan on Monday night.

The flight was carrying 14 passengers and three crew members when it experienced what officials described as an "apparent mechanical failure." Five people were rescued from the wreckage, which was found approximately 0.6 miles from the island's coast, while search teams worked to recover the remaining bodies from the water.

Mechanical failure sends aircraft into sharp turn

Civil aviation official Carlos Padilla provided details about the crash, explaining that the aircraft made a "sharp turn to the right of the runway" before falling into the water. The sudden deviation from its intended path nearly struck people below.

A local fisherman witnessed the terrifying moment, telling HCH television: "The plane almost fell on us. I was fishing." His account highlights how close the incident came to causing additional casualties on the water.

Rescue efforts proved challenging due to the crash site's difficult terrain. Roatan Fire Captain Franklin Borjas described the obstacles faced by emergency responders, noting that "there are 30 meters (98 ft) of rocks, and you can't get there while walking or swimming." Divers assisting with the rescue operation reported "zero visibility" underwater, further complicating their work.

Cultural icon among those lost in tragedy

Aurelio Martinez, 56, was among the confirmed casualties, representing a significant loss for Honduras' cultural heritage. He was widely recognized as a prominent figure in the Garifuna music scene. The Garifuna are an Afro-indigenous people who were exiled from St. Vincent to Honduras in the 18th century. Martinez played a crucial role in preserving and promoting their unique cultural traditions through his music.

According to the Kennedy Center, Martinez's group, Lita Ariran, was "one of the first Garifuna groups to appear on an internationally distributed recording." Beyond his musical contributions, Martinez later entered politics and served as a representative to the Honduran National Congress.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize paid tribute to the artist, stating:

Aurelio was a great friend of Belize and a true champion of Garífuna culture and music. As a renowned Garífuna musician, Aurelio was a powerful voice in preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Garinagu people. 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.

International response to air disaster

The passenger manifest revealed an international component to the tragedy, with the flight carrying nationals from multiple countries, including the United States and France.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed an American citizen was among those killed in the crash. "We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected," the spokesperson said, while declining to provide additional details out of respect for the family's privacy.

Reports indicate that a 40-year-old French citizen was among the survivors transferred to a hospital in San Pedro Sula on the mainland. The passenger list also reportedly included two minors, though their status following the crash was not immediately clear.

Honduran President Xiomara Castro responded swiftly to the disaster, announcing that she had "immediately activated" an Emergency Operations Committee comprised of various agencies to manage the response. The coordinated effort focused on both rescue operations and the recovery of victims' remains.

Devastating loss off popular tourist destination

The crash occurred near Roatan, the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands, which sits just off the mainland coast and is internationally known for its vibrant coral reefs and tourism appeal.

Dramatic footage of rescue efforts circulated showing workers frantically searching in the water. One video, described by officials as a "rescue," showed a woman being removed from the sea on a stretcher, though updates on her condition were not immediately available.

As of Monday night, officials reported that only one body remained to be recovered from the crash site. Honduran police confirmed that the body of at least one crew member had been found, with efforts continuing to recover all victims.

The Lanhsa airline flight had just begun what should have been a routine journey to the mainland when the tragedy occurred. The aircraft reportedly suffered a catastrophic problem just moments after becoming airborne, leaving little time for emergency measures.

Caribbean tragedy claims musician and international passengers

A small aircraft operated by Lanhsa airline crashed into the Caribbean Sea on Monday night after taking off from the Honduran island of Roatan, resulting in 12 deaths including renowned Garifuna musician and politician Aurelio Martinez. The Jetstream aircraft experienced what officials termed an "apparent mechanical failure" that sent it into a sharp right turn before plummeting into the water.  Rescue operations managed to save five people while recovery teams worked to retrieve all victims from the challenging underwater crash site located approximately 0.6 miles off the island's coast.