A tragic plane crash off the coast of Roatán Island, Honduras, has left multiple people dead, sending shockwaves through the local community and travelers. The small aircraft crashed into the sea just moments after takeoff on Monday, prompting an immediate response from emergency teams and national authorities.

Witnesses said the plane appeared to struggle shortly after liftoff before plunging into the water near the shoreline. Despite rapid rescue efforts, officials later confirmed that not everyone on board survived, marking the incident as one of the country’s most devastating recent aviation tragedies.

According to Honduras’ transport ministry, the Lanhsa airline flight was carrying “fourteen passengers and three crew members.” Early reports said the passengers included two children, a French citizen, and a U.S. national. Police confirmed several fatalities, adding that the crash has “deeply shaken families and communities across the country.”

The aircraft was en route to La Ceiba on the Honduran mainland when the disaster occurred. Investigators are now reviewing weather conditions, aircraft maintenance records, and pilot communications to determine what caused the crash.

Among the victims was Aurelio Martínez, the internationally renowned Garifuna musician known for sharing his community’s cultural heritage with the world. Authorities say recovery operations are ongoing, and the Honduran Civil Aviation Agency has promised a “full investigation” with international support, while government officials have extended condolences and assistance to the victims’ families.