Rescue teams work at the scene of a plane crash near Roatan, Honduras, on March 17, 2025. REUTERS
A tragic plane crash off the coast of Roatan, Honduras, claimed the lives of 12 people, including popular musician Aurelio Martinez. The small Lanhsa Airlines plane took off from Roatan, a well-known tourist destination, heading toward La Ceiba on the mainland. Shortly after departure, the aircraft veered sharply to the right and plunged into the Caribbean Sea.
The crash happened near nightfall, and nearby fishermen witnessed the shocking scene. "The plane almost fell on us. I was fishing," one fisherman recalled. The aircraft was carrying 17 people, including crew members. Five passengers were rescued and taken to the hospital, though their conditions have not yet been revealed.
Dramatic rescue footage shared on social media showed emergency workers pulling a survivor from the water and carrying them to shore on a stretcher. The Honduran police confirmed that only one body remained missing as the search continued.
Fire captain Franklin Borjas described the rescue mission as challenging due to the rough terrain. The rocky shore, combined with poor visibility underwater, made the operation difficult. "There are 30 meters of rocks. You can't walk or swim to the crash site," Borjas explained.
Among the victims was Aurelio Martinez, a celebrated Garifuna musician known worldwide for promoting the culture and music of his Afro-Indigenous heritage. Martinez was also a former Honduran congressman and held dual citizenship with the United States. His representative, French citizen Helene Odile Guivarch, was among the survivors.
Martinez, who hailed from Honduras' Gracias a Dios region, was deeply loved by his family and fans. His nephew, Ángel Aparicio Fernández Martínez, who performed with him, expressed the family’s sorrow. "He was the family's pillar," he said.
Singer, guitarist, and percussionist Aurelio Martinez performs with his band at the 38th Anniversary Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in California on June 11, 2016. Getty Images
Martinez began his music career with the group Los Gatos Bravos before forming his own band, Lita Ariran. His debut album, Garifuna Soul, introduced him to global audiences, taking him to Europe, the United States, and beyond. His music, which blended traditional Garifuna rhythms with contemporary styles, earned him international acclaim.
"He was Honduras' greatest Garifuna music ambassador on the world stage," his nephew added. Martinez was especially known for his high-energy performances of punta rock, a Garifuna-infused pop genre that gained massive popularity in Central America during the 1990s.
The aircraft, a British-made Jetstream 41, reportedly experienced a mechanical failure, according to a police statement. The crash occurred about half a mile from Roatan’s coastline.
Following the accident, Honduran President Xiomara Castro announced that she had activated an emergency committee. The task force, consisting of the armed forces, firefighters, and other emergency services, was deployed to aid the victims and assist with the recovery efforts.
