Did you hear about a Roatan Honduras plane crash today? While the devastating incident occurred on Monday evening, March 17, 2025, the news is still unfolding. A small passenger plane carrying 17 people crashed into the water moments after taking off from Roatán Island in Honduras, resulting in multiple fatalities and a challenging rescue operation. This article provides the latest details on this tragic event.
Key Takeaways:
- A small passenger plane crashed off the coast of Roatan, Honduras, on Monday evening, March 17, 2025.
- The Jetstream 32 aircraft was carrying 15 passengers and two crew members.
- Initial reports indicate that 12 people died in the crash, with five survivors.
- The plane was operated by Honduran airline Lanhsa and was en route to La Ceiba.
- Recovery efforts are ongoing, complicated by the rocky coastline and poor visibility.
- An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash.
Small Plane Plunges into Sea Near Roatan
A tragic incident occurred on Monday evening when a small passenger plane crashed into the Caribbean Sea shortly after taking off from an airport on Roatán Island, near the coast of Honduras. The aircraft, identified as a Jetstream 32, was carrying a total of 17 people, including 15 passengers and two crew members [Source: New York Times].
Flight Details and Casualties
The flight, operated by the Honduran airline Lanhsa, departed from Roatán Island with its destination set for La Ceiba, a city on the northern coast of mainland Honduras. Sadly, the national police reported that 12 people on board perished in the crash, while five individuals survived the impact [Source: New York Times]. Earlier reports indicated 7 fatalities and 10 survivors [Source: MSN], but the latest information suggests a higher death toll. Authorities are still working to recover the body of one of the deceased.
Rescue Efforts Hampered by Conditions
The rescue and recovery efforts are proving to be challenging due to the location of the crash site. The plane went down approximately 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) off the island’s coast, and the area is characterized by a rocky coastline with significant underwater obstacles. According to Roatan fire captain Franklin Borjas, the difficult terrain and zero visibility for divers are complicating the operation [Source: Al Arabiya].
Passengers Included Foreign Nationals
Local media reports, citing the flight manifest, indicate that the passengers on board included a US national, a French national, and two minors. The tragic event has undoubtedly sent shockwaves through the international community [Source: Al Arabiya].
Investigation Underway
As of Tuesday morning, the cause of the Roatan Honduras plane crash remains unclear. The civil aeronautics agency of Honduras has stated that a thorough investigation has been launched to determine the factors that led to this devastating incident [Source: New York Times]. The airline, Lanhsa, has not yet issued a public statement regarding the crash.
This unfortunate event follows other recent aviation-related incidents, such as the American Airlines fire at Denver Airport, reminding us of the inherent risks associated with air travel.
The world awaits further updates on the investigation into the Roatan Honduras plane crash as authorities continue their recovery efforts and work to understand what went wrong.
