A plane crash off the coast of Honduras on Monday evening resulted in the deaths of at least twelve people, authorities have confirmed.

The crash occurred shortly after the aircraft departed from Juan Manuel Galvez Airport on Roatan Island. The Honduran Civil Aeronautics Agency stated the plane was en route to La Ceiba, a neighboring island.

Honduran President Xiomara Castro reported the wreckage was located less than a mile from the coast of Roatan Island.

The small aircraft, a Jetstream 32 operated by Honduran airline Lanhsa, carried two crew members and 15 passengers, according to the aeronautics agency.

Reuters, citing the flight manifest as shown by local media, reported that the passengers included an , a French national, and two minors.

Honduran firefighters reported that five individuals were rescued from the crash site, but one person remains missing.

Reuters also reported that local firefighters indicated well-known Honduran musician Aurelio Martinez Suazo was among the deceased.

Roatan Mayor Ronnie Richard McNap Thompson attributed the accident to a suspected mechanical failure of the aircraft.

reached out to for comment but have yet to receive a response.

According to CBS, civil aviation official Carlos Padilla, speaking to AFP news agency, stated the plane “made a sharp turn to the right of the runway and fell into the water.”

The Honduran government activated multiple emergency services, including the Armed Forces, .

“The Government of Honduras deeply regrets the tragic accident in Roatan,” the government shared in a post on X on Monday.

The armed forces also posted on X, stating that “rapid response teams continue working in the area to safeguard the lives of those affected.”

Dramatic video footage shows emergency crews conducting rescue operations from .

Roatan Fire Capt. Franklin Borjas told Reuters that the survivors were taken to a nearby hospital, noting that the search and rescue efforts were hampered by difficult conditions on Monday.

“It’s been difficult to access the accident [site], because there are 30 meters [98 feet] of rocks, and you can’t get there while walking or swimming,” Borjas said on Monday night. “The divers helping with the rescue have zero visibility.”

Firefighters have announced that the search for the missing passenger will resume on Tuesday, with improved weather and visibility expected.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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