In a tragic incident that underscores the perils of air travel, a plane operated by Honduran airline Lanhsa crashed shortly after departing from Roatán, resulting in multiple fatalities.
Tragic Plane Crash Claims 12 Lives in Honduras

Tragic Plane Crash Claims 12 Lives in Honduras
A devastating plane crash off the coast of Honduras leads to the loss of at least twelve lives, with investigations ongoing.
At least 12 people have been confirmed dead following a plane crash off Honduras’ Caribbean coast on Monday evening, according to officials. The aircraft, operated by Honduran airline Lanhsa, went down in the sea just one minute after taking off from Roatán Island.
Authorities from the Honduran national police and fire department reported that five individuals have been rescued, while one person remains missing. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation. However, local mayor comments indicate that adverse weather was not a contributing factor, as conditions were reported to be normal at the time of the incident.
The ill-fated Jetstream 32 took off from the Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport at 18:18 local time (00:18 GMT Tuesday), with its final destination set for Golosón International Airport in La Ceiba on the Honduran mainland. Civil aviation official Carlos Padilla, in a statement to AFP news agency, noted that the plane made a "sharp turn to the right of the runway" before plunging into the water.
In response to the tragedy, the government of Honduras expressed its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims through a social media statement. “The Government of Honduras deeply regrets the tragic accident in Roatán and joins in the national mourning,” they stated.
Honduran President Xiomara Castro promptly activated the country’s emergency committee, which includes the military, police, fire departments, Red Cross, and Ministry of Health, to coordinate rescue operations and provide necessary assistance. "May God protect people's lives," Castro remarked as rescue teams worked diligently in challenging conditions along the rocky coastline.
Footage released by officials portrayed emergency crews conducting rescue efforts under the cover of darkness, utilizing small boats and stretchers to assist survivors. Reportedly, injured survivors were airlifted to hospitals in San Pedro Sula by vehicles from the Honduran armed forces. Among the deceased was the well-known Honduran musician Aurelio Martinez Suazo, acclaimed for his contributions to Garifuna culture, a distinctive blend of indigenous and Afro-Caribbean heritage.
This unfortunate incident adds to the concerning list of aviation accidents in the Caribbean and serves as a reminder of the uncertainties surrounding air travel.
Authorities from the Honduran national police and fire department reported that five individuals have been rescued, while one person remains missing. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation. However, local mayor comments indicate that adverse weather was not a contributing factor, as conditions were reported to be normal at the time of the incident.
The ill-fated Jetstream 32 took off from the Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport at 18:18 local time (00:18 GMT Tuesday), with its final destination set for Golosón International Airport in La Ceiba on the Honduran mainland. Civil aviation official Carlos Padilla, in a statement to AFP news agency, noted that the plane made a "sharp turn to the right of the runway" before plunging into the water.
In response to the tragedy, the government of Honduras expressed its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims through a social media statement. “The Government of Honduras deeply regrets the tragic accident in Roatán and joins in the national mourning,” they stated.
Honduran President Xiomara Castro promptly activated the country’s emergency committee, which includes the military, police, fire departments, Red Cross, and Ministry of Health, to coordinate rescue operations and provide necessary assistance. "May God protect people's lives," Castro remarked as rescue teams worked diligently in challenging conditions along the rocky coastline.
Footage released by officials portrayed emergency crews conducting rescue efforts under the cover of darkness, utilizing small boats and stretchers to assist survivors. Reportedly, injured survivors were airlifted to hospitals in San Pedro Sula by vehicles from the Honduran armed forces. Among the deceased was the well-known Honduran musician Aurelio Martinez Suazo, acclaimed for his contributions to Garifuna culture, a distinctive blend of indigenous and Afro-Caribbean heritage.
This unfortunate incident adds to the concerning list of aviation accidents in the Caribbean and serves as a reminder of the uncertainties surrounding air travel.