Famous Singer Among 12 Dead In Devastating Plane Crash Near Remote Island

A devastating plane crash off the coast of Roatán, Honduras, has left at least 12 people dead, including a U.S. citizen and beloved Honduran musician and politician, Aurelio Martínez.

The Lanhsa airline Jetstream aircraft had just taken off from Roatán, a popular tourist destination in the Caribbean, on Monday night, when it reportedly suffered a mechanical failure and plunged into the sea just minutes later.

According to Honduran authorities, the aircraft was carrying 14 passengers and three crew members. Five survivors were rescued from the wreckage, while one body remains unaccounted for as search efforts continue.

Among the deceased is Aurelio Martínez, 56, a legendary Garífuna musician and politician, whose impact on Honduran culture was widely recognized.

Martínez was a renowned voice in the Garífuna music scene, an Afro-Indigenous community with roots tracing back to St. Vincent, whose ancestors were exiled to Honduras in the 18th century. His group, Lita Ariran, was one of the first Garífuna bands to achieve international recognition, according to the Kennedy Center.

Later in his career, Martínez transitioned into politics, serving as a representative in the Honduran National Congress.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize was among those who paid tribute, calling him a “great friend of Belize and a true champion of Garífuna culture and music.”

“His passing leaves a void in the world of music and culture, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who loved his art and his people.”

The flight manifest revealed that the passengers included a U.S. national, a French national, and two minors.

A State Department spokesperson later confirmed the death of an American citizen, offering condolences to the families of all victims. “We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected,” the statement read. “Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones during this difficult time, we have no further comment.”

One of the survivors, a 40-year-old French citizen, was reportedly transferred to a hospital in San Pedro Sula for treatment.

Carlos Padilla, a civil aviation official, described how the aircraft took off, made a sharp right turn, and crashed into the water about 0.6 miles from the island’s coast.

A local fisherman who was out at sea at the time narrowly avoided being struck by the falling plane.

"The plane almost fell on us. I was fishing," he told HCH television, per CBS.

Authorities continue to search for one remaining victim, but challenging underwater conditions have complicated efforts.

“It’s been difficult to access the accident site because there are 30 meters (98 feet) of rocks, and you can't get there by walking or swimming,” Roatán Fire Captain Franklin Borjas explained.

“The divers helping with the rescue have zero visibility.”

Dramatic footage from the scene showed rescue workers frantically searching the water for survivors. One video, described as a “rescue” by officials, captured the moment a woman was pulled from the sea on a stretcher, though no further updates have been provided on her condition.

In response to the tragedy, Honduran President Xiomara Castro issued a statement confirming that she had “immediately activated” an Emergency Operations Committee to handle the crisis.

Roatán, the largest of Honduras’ Bay Islands, is a major tourist hub, known for its stunning coral reefs and pristine beaches.

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, as the nation mourns the lives lost in this devastating tragedy.

The United States has experienced a sharp increase in deadly plane crashes in 2025, marking a concerning shift in aviation safety trends. So far this year, 19 fatal aviation incidents have occurred, resulting in at least 106 deaths.

Before 2025, the last fatal U.S. airliner crash occurred in 2009. While general aviation accidents—such as small private planes—have accounted for most fatal crashes in recent years, this year’s incidents have raised alarm due to their frequency and impact.

The NTSB has confirmed that preliminary reports for each 2025 aviation accident will be released within 30 days of the incident. However, full investigations, which determine probable causes and contributing factors, will take 12 to 24 months to complete.

As aviation authorities continue their investigations, safety concerns remain high following the unexpected surge in fatal U.S. plane crashes this year.