At least 12 people died after a plane crashed near the Caribbean coast of Honduras on Monday night, according to officials. The plane was operated by Honduran airline Lanhsa and took off from the island of Roatán before crashing into the sea within a minute. Five people were rescued while one remains missing. The cause of the crash remains unknown, with the mayor of Roatán attributing it to something other than weather conditions. The Honduran Civil Aeronautics Agency has commenced an investigation.

The Jetstream 32 aircraft, bound for Golosón International Airport in La Ceiba, departed from Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport on Roatán at 18:18 local time. Civil aviation official Carlos Padilla said the plane made a sharp turn to the right before falling into the water. The government expressed sympathy for the victims’ families and President Xiomara Castro activated the country’s emergency committee to assist in the response. The team worked to provide aid amidst the rescue efforts, which included searching in the dark along a rocky shoreline. Survivors with injuries were taken to a hospital in San Pedro Sula via air force planes. Among the deceased was well-known Honduran musician Aurelio Martinez Suazo, who was part of the Garifuna people with their unique musical style.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpq2pndw82jo