Honduras plane crash death toll reaches 12, one person still missing updated

A plane crash on the island of Roatán, located off the west coast of Honduras, has resulted in the deaths of 12 people, with five survivors, according to the National Police of Honduras.

The incident was reported by the police on their official social media page, X, per Caliber.Az.

12 PERSONAS FALLECIDAS Y CINCO CON VIDA TRAS ACCIDENTE AÉREO EN ROATÁN

A esta hora solo falta un cuerpo por rescatar, los equipos de socorro continúan las labores. @hegusave pic.twitter.com/HBYMQfj7iW

— Policía Nacional de Honduras (@PoliciaHonduras) March 18, 2025

"12 people were killed, and five survived the crash of an airplane on the island of Roatán," the police statement said.

At present, rescue teams are still searching for one additional person who was aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash.

¡OTRA VÍCTIMA RESCATADA!
En una extraordinaria labor de rescate, nuestros policías estuvieron desde el inicio y continúan en el lugar de los hechos en donde se suscitó el accidente aéreo. #ÚLTIMAHORA #roatan @hegusave pic.twitter.com/1MRqLFiugs

— Policía Nacional de Honduras (@PoliciaHonduras) March 18, 2025

10:10

An aircraft with 17 people aboard crashed into the sea near Roatán, Honduras, on March 17 evening, killing seven people, while 10 others were pulled out from the wreckage alive, local officials confirmed.

Honduras Civil Aviation (HCA) noted that the accident occurred at 6:18 p.m. near Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport, shortly after takeoff, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

The plane, a Jetstream 32, was departing from Roatán and was headed for La Ceiba on the Honduran mainland. The flight had 15 passengers and 2 crew members on board.

Preliminary reports suggest the plane crashed mere seconds after taking off from the island, which is a popular tourist destination known for its coral reefs.

The flight manifest revealed that the passengers included a United States citizen, a French national, and two minors. Local authorities confirmed that Aurelio Martinez Suazo, a well-known Garifuna musician, was among those killed.

Franklin Borjas, a Roatán fire captain, confirmed the death toll and provided updates on the ongoing rescue efforts. Dramatic footage shared by the national police on social media showed rescue workers and officers carrying survivors onto a rocky coastline, some on stretchers, with a nearby boat illuminating the scene.

The cause of the crash remains unclear, and the airline has not yet responded to requests for comment. Borjas told reporters that the survivors were transported to a nearby hospital, while also confirming that the crash occurred shortly after takeoff.

Rescue operations were complicated by adverse conditions, including rocky terrain and zero visibility for the divers assisting in the search. Borjas explained, "It's been difficult to access the accident site because there are 30 meters of rocks, and you can't get there by walking or swimming."

Roatán, the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands, is a well-known tourist spot, making the crash particularly shocking for both locals and visitors.