A tragic plane crash off the coast of Roatán Island, Honduras, has claimed multiple lives, leaving the local community and travelers in mourning. The small aircraft went down “just moments after takeoff on Monday,” triggering an immediate response from emergency teams and national authorities.

Despite rapid rescue efforts, officials confirmed that not all on board survived. Witnesses said they saw the plane struggle shortly after liftoff before “plunging into the sea near the island’s shoreline,” a scene that shocked residents and tourists nearby.

According to Honduras’ transport ministry, the Lanhsa airline flight was carrying fourteen passengers and three crew members. Reports confirmed that “among the passengers were two children, a French citizen, and a U.S. national.” Police later acknowledged multiple fatalities, noting the tragedy has deeply affected families across the country.

The flight was headed to La Ceiba on the Honduran mainland when the crash occurred. Investigators are now reviewing weather conditions, maintenance records, and pilot communications to determine what went wrong. Authorities said recovery operations remain underway as teams search for wreckage and evidence.

Among those killed was Aurelio Martínez, the internationally acclaimed Garifuna musician known for sharing his culture’s music with the world. His death has drawn widespread tributes. Government officials have offered condolences, while crisis teams support grieving families as Honduras mourns “one of the country’s most devastating recent aviation tragedies.”