A tragic plane crash near the Honduran mainland claimed the lives of 12 people on Monday evening. The Jetstream 32 aircraft, carrying 15 passengers and two crew members, went down seconds after taking off from Roatán Island, a popular Caribbean tourist destination.

The Lanhsa Airlines plane departed at nightfall from Roatan, one of the central American country's main tourist destinations, headed for the port of La Ceiba on the Honduran mainland.

The aircraft, a Jetstream 32 with registration HR-AYW, "made a sharp turn to the right of the runway and fell into the water," civil aviation official Carlos Padilla said.

According to the country’s civil aeronautics agency, the accident occurred at 6:18 p.m. The cause of the crash remains unknown, and an investigation has been launched.

Survivors and Rescue Efforts

Of the 17 people on board, five survived the crash. Authorities confirmed that 12 had died including popular Honduran musician Aurelio Martinez. Honduran police and emergency teams responded swiftly, conducting rescue operations at the crash site. Images from the scene showed rescue workers pulling an injured man from the water.

President Xiomara Castro addressed the tragedy, stating that an Emergency Operations Committee had been activated to provide immediate assistance. She assured the public that hospitals in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba were prepared to treat the injured.

Roatán: A Popular Tourist Destination

Roatán Island, located about 35 miles off the mainland, is the largest of the Bay Islands and a well-known destination for divers and tourists seeking pristine coral reefs. The crash is a devastating incident for the region, which relies heavily on tourism.

As authorities continue their investigation, the nation mourns the loss of those who perished in the tragic accident.