A small plane crashed into the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Roatán Island, killing at least twelve people, including U.S. citizens. Civil aviation official Carlos Padilla said the aircraft “made a sharp turn to the right of the runway and fell into the water” shortly after takeoff. A fisherman who witnessed the crash said he narrowly avoided being struck. Roatán Fire Captain Franklin Borjas explained that rescue efforts were difficult due to rocky terrain and poor visibility underwater: “There are 30 meters (98 ft) of rocks, and you can’t reach the site by walking or swimming. The divers have zero visibility.” Honduran President Xiomara Castro activated an Emergency Operations Committee to coordinate the response. According to the transport ministry, 14 people, including crew members, were on board. Among the victims was renowned Honduran musician and politician Aurelio Martínez, a leading figure in the Garífuna music scene. Belize’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs paid tribute to him as “a great friend of Belize and a true champion of Garífuna culture.” Initial reports suggest the crash was caused by mechanical failure. The U.S. State Department confirmed the death of an American citizen and expressed condolences to the family
