A tragic plane crash off the Caribbean coast of Honduras on Monday night left seven people dead and 10 others rescued alive, authorities confirmed.
The Jetstream aircraft, operated by Honduran airline Lanhsa, had just departed Roatan Island when it went down roughly a kilometer (0.6 miles) offshore. Onboard were 14 passengers and three crew members, including a U.S. and a French national, as well as two minors, according to the country's transport minister. The flight was en route to La Ceiba on the mainland.
Among the deceased was renowned Garifuna musician Aurelio Martinez Suazo, as confirmed by fire officials. Roatan fire captain Franklin Borjas reported the casualties and detailed the rescue efforts, which were complicated by the rocky terrain and rough waters.
Dramatic footage shared by the national police captured the urgent nighttime rescue, with emergency responders carrying survivors to safety along the rugged coastline. Some were placed on stretchers, while boats illuminated the scene in the darkness.
The cause of the crash remains unknown, and the airline has yet to comment. Survivors have been transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Roatan, a well-known tourist destination famous for its coral reefs, posed challenges for rescue teams due to its inaccessible crash site. "There are 30 meters (98 feet) of rocks, making it impossible to reach on foot or by swimming," Borjas explained.