Mystery surrounds a tragic air disaster that developed from the coast of the distant Caribbean island and raised questions about what was really going wrong.
Eyewitnesses described the tormenting scene as the small plane plunged into the sea just moments after take -off – a sudden, sharp turn and a quick descent and many people to wonder if more than mechanical failure.
As the authorities deal with the answer, families mourn the loss of twelve lives, including a beloved international musician and US citizens.
Twelve dead, including a beloved musician, in a plane crash near the distant Caribbean island
Tragic aircraft to the Caribbean Sea required the lives of at least twelve individuals, including US citizens, after take -off from the island of Roatan.
#HondurasPlaneCrash
— Surya Reddy (@jsuryareddy) March 18, 2025
At least 7 people died, after a plane crashed (#PlaneCrash) into water, just off the Caribbean coast of #Honduras on Monday night minutes after taking off from #Roatan Island.
Around 10 people were pulled out from the Wreckage alive.
The Jetstream Aircraft… pic.twitter.com/0fH7z7nXUp
Carlos Padilla, a civil aviation official, said that the aircraft “turned sharply to the right of the track and threw himself into the sea” just after departure. The impact occurred on the coast of the island and attracted immediate attention from nearby witnesses.
The fisherman, who saw the accident developed, said he had shown the hit as he descended the plane down into the water.
Teams for search and recovery were sent to the accident site, with one body still remaining.
Access to the accident site proved to be difficult due to the harsh terrain of the area. “There are about 30 meters (98 feet) of rocks, which makes it impossible to reach or swim,” explained Captain Roatan Fire Franklin Borjas, according to the Daily Mail. He added: “Divers who help in recovery work with zero visibility.”
President Hondduran Xiomara replied quickly and activated the Committee on Emergency Operations to coordinate the efforts of various agencies.
According to the Ministry of Transport of the country, there were 14 people on board, including the crew members.
Among those who died was a renowned singer Honduran and politician Aurelio MartÃnez, a famous character in the music community Garifuna. People Garifuna is an Afro-Domorod group with ancestors on St. Vincent.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Belize Foreign Trade appreciated MartÃnez in a sincere statement and described him as “a great friend Beliz and the real champion of culture and music Garifun”. They added: “His death leaves a deep emptiness in the cultural and music landscape, but his legacy will last in the hearts of those who appreciated his art and his inheritance.”
Initial messages suggest that the accident can be caused by mechanical failure.
The US Foreign Ministry confirmed that one American citizen was among the dead and prolonged condolences to their family.
Please consider sharing this article with loved ones to honor the memory of the lost.
Conclusion
This destructive accident of the aircraft left the families across the border and claimed the lives of innocent passengers and a beloved cultural icon. As the investigation continues the cause – it is that it is a mechanical failure – teams of recipes face huge challenges when restoring the final victim.
The loss of Aurelio Martinez is felt especially in the whole Garifuna community beyond, with honors that pour out for a man who used his voice to encourage his people. Given such a tragedy, the community meets in grief, solidarity and memory.