A plane crash off Roatan Island, Honduras, killed twelve people, including Garifuna musician Aurelio Martinez. The Lanhsa Airlines flight went down shortly after takeoff on its way to La Ceiba, prompting an emergency response from national authorities and rescue te…
The aircraft was carrying fourteen passengers and three crew members, and victims reportedly included two children, a French citizen, and a U.S. national. The crash happened about one kilometer from Roatan International Airport, near a popular tourist area.
Rescue efforts were made difficult by poor weather and low visibility, and search operations continued as authorities worked to locate everyone involved. Survivors and injured passengers were taken to hospitals in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba, while investigators began looking into the cause of the crash.
President Xiomara Castro activated the country’s Emergency Operations Committee and expressed condolences to the affected families, calling the disaster a national tragedy. As Honduras mourns, many are also honoring Aurelio Martinez for his lasting contribution to Garifuna culture and music.