Latest news with #Lanhsa
USA Today
19-03-2025
- General
- USA Today
At least 12 dead after Honduras plane crashes into the water after takeoff
At least 12 dead after Honduras plane crashes into the water after takeoff Show Caption Hide Caption Common flight maneuvers that might feel unsettling but are normal Here are three surprising flight maneuvers that feel dangerous but are completely safe. A Lanhsa airline plane crashed off the coast of Roatan Island, Honduras, killing 12 people. Five survivors were rescued and transported to a nearby hospital, while one person remains missing. The cause of the crash is currently unknown, and the airline has not yet issued a statement. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — A plane crashed just off the Caribbean coast of Honduras on Monday night minutes after taking off from Roatan Island, killing 12 people, authorities said, while five survived the crash and one person remains missing. The wreckage of the small Jetstream aircraft, operated by Honduran airline Lanhsa, was found about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) off the island's coast, according to the country's transport minister. "At approximately 9 a.m. the recovery of the last victim of the accident will continue," Honduras' firefighters' corps said on social media early on Tuesday. "We expect better weather and visibility." Flying feels riskier. Here's what the experts say about that high number of accidents. According to the flight manifest shown by local media, the passengers included a U.S. national, a French national and two minors. The plane was scheduled to fly to La Ceiba airport on the Honduran mainland. Well-known Garifuna musician Aurelio Martinez Suazo was among the dead, according to fire officials. Dramatic video footage uploaded to social media by the national police showed officers and other rescue workers carrying survivors onto a rocky coastline, some in stretchers, as a nearby boat shone a bright light amid the darkness. The cause of the crash was not immediately clear. The airline did not respond immediately to a request for comment. Roatan fire captain Franklin Borjas told Reuters the survivors were transported to a nearby hospital while also confirming that the crash took place shortly after the plane's takeoff from the island. Roatan, the largest of the Bay Islands just off the Honduran coast, is a popular tourist attraction and famed for its vibrant coral reefs. Borjas noted that adverse conditions complicated the search and rescue efforts. "It's been difficult to access the accident (site) because there are 30 meters (98 ft) of rocks and you can't get there while walking or swimming," he said on Monday night. "The divers helping with the rescue have zero visibility," he added. Contributing: Ana Isabel Martinez, David Alire Garcia, Sarah Morland, Natalia Siniawski and Jamie Freed, Reuters
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
Famous Singer Among 12 Dead In Devastating Plane Crash Near Remote Island
A devastating off the coast of Roatán, Honduras, has left at least 12 people dead, including a U.S. citizen and beloved Honduran musician and politician, Aurelio Martínez. The Lanhsa airline Jetstream aircraft had just taken off from Roatán, a popular tourist destination in the Caribbean, on Monday night, when it reportedly suffered a mechanical failure and plunged into the sea just minutes later. According to Honduran authorities, the aircraft was carrying 14 passengers and three crew members. Five survivors were rescued from the wreckage, while one body remains unaccounted for as search efforts continue. Among the deceased is Aurelio Martínez, 56, a legendary Garífuna musician and politician, whose impact on Honduran culture was widely recognized. Martínez was a renowned voice in the Garífuna music scene, an Afro-Indigenous community with roots tracing back to St. Vincent, whose ancestors were exiled to Honduras in the 18th century. His group, Lita Ariran, was one of the first Garífuna bands to achieve international recognition, according to the Kennedy Center. Later in his career, Martínez transitioned into politics, serving as a representative in the Honduran National Congress. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize was among those who paid tribute, calling him a 'great friend of Belize and a true champion of Garífuna culture and music.' 'His passing leaves a void in the world of music and culture, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who loved his art and his people.' The flight manifest revealed that the passengers included a U.S. national, a French national, and two minors. A State Department spokesperson later confirmed the death of an American citizen, offering condolences to the families of all victims. 'We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected,' the statement read. 'Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones during this difficult time, we have no further comment.' One of the survivors, a 40-year-old French citizen, was reportedly transferred to a hospital in San Pedro Sula for treatment. Carlos Padilla, a civil aviation official, described how the aircraft took off, made a sharp right turn, and crashed into the water about 0.6 miles from the island's coast. A local fisherman who was out at sea at the time narrowly avoided being struck by the falling plane. "The plane almost fell on us. I was fishing," he told HCH television, per CBS. Authorities continue to search for one remaining victim, but challenging underwater conditions have complicated efforts. 'It's been difficult to access the accident site because there are 30 meters (98 feet) of rocks, and you can't get there by walking or swimming,' Roatán Fire Captain Franklin Borjas explained. 'The divers helping with the rescue have zero visibility.' Dramatic footage from the scene showed rescue workers frantically searching the water for survivors. One video, described as a 'rescue' by officials, captured the moment a woman was pulled from the sea on a stretcher, though no further updates have been provided on her condition. In response to the tragedy, Honduran President Xiomara Castro issued a statement confirming that she had 'immediately activated' an Emergency Operations Committee to handle the crisis. Roatán, the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands, is a major tourist hub, known for its stunning coral reefs and pristine beaches. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, as the nation mourns the lives lost in this devastating tragedy. The United States has experienced a sharp increase in deadly plane crashes in 2025, marking a concerning shift in aviation safety trends. So far this year, 19 fatal aviation incidents have occurred, resulting in at least 106 deaths. Before 2025, the last fatal U.S. airliner crash occurred in 2009. While general aviation accidents—such as small private planes—have accounted for most fatal crashes in recent years, this year's incidents have raised alarm due to their frequency and impact. The NTSB has confirmed that preliminary reports for each 2025 aviation accident will be released within 30 days of the incident. However, full investigations, which determine probable causes and contributing factors, will take 12 to 24 months to complete. As aviation authorities continue their investigations, safety concerns remain high following the unexpected surge in fatal U.S. plane crashes this year.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
Famous Singer Among 12 Dead In Devastating Plane Crash Near Remote Island
A devastating off the coast of Roatán, Honduras, has left at least 12 people dead, including a U.S. citizen and beloved Honduran musician and politician, Aurelio Martínez. The Lanhsa airline Jetstream aircraft had just taken off from Roatán, a popular tourist destination in the Caribbean, on Monday night, when it reportedly suffered a mechanical failure and plunged into the sea just minutes later. According to Honduran authorities, the aircraft was carrying 14 passengers and three crew members. Five survivors were rescued from the wreckage, while one body remains unaccounted for as search efforts continue. Among the deceased is Aurelio Martínez, 56, a legendary Garífuna musician and politician, whose impact on Honduran culture was widely recognized. Martínez was a renowned voice in the Garífuna music scene, an Afro-Indigenous community with roots tracing back to St. Vincent, whose ancestors were exiled to Honduras in the 18th century. His group, Lita Ariran, was one of the first Garífuna bands to achieve international recognition, according to the Kennedy Center. Later in his career, Martínez transitioned into politics, serving as a representative in the Honduran National Congress. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize was among those who paid tribute, calling him a 'great friend of Belize and a true champion of Garífuna culture and music.' 'His passing leaves a void in the world of music and culture, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who loved his art and his people.' The flight manifest revealed that the passengers included a U.S. national, a French national, and two minors. A State Department spokesperson later confirmed the death of an American citizen, offering condolences to the families of all victims. 'We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected,' the statement read. 'Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones during this difficult time, we have no further comment.' One of the survivors, a 40-year-old French citizen, was reportedly transferred to a hospital in San Pedro Sula for treatment. Carlos Padilla, a civil aviation official, described how the aircraft took off, made a sharp right turn, and crashed into the water about 0.6 miles from the island's coast. A local fisherman who was out at sea at the time narrowly avoided being struck by the falling plane. "The plane almost fell on us. I was fishing," he told HCH television, per CBS. Authorities continue to search for one remaining victim, but challenging underwater conditions have complicated efforts. 'It's been difficult to access the accident site because there are 30 meters (98 feet) of rocks, and you can't get there by walking or swimming,' Roatán Fire Captain Franklin Borjas explained. 'The divers helping with the rescue have zero visibility.' Dramatic footage from the scene showed rescue workers frantically searching the water for survivors. One video, described as a 'rescue' by officials, captured the moment a woman was pulled from the sea on a stretcher, though no further updates have been provided on her condition. In response to the tragedy, Honduran President Xiomara Castro issued a statement confirming that she had 'immediately activated' an Emergency Operations Committee to handle the crisis. Roatán, the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands, is a major tourist hub, known for its stunning coral reefs and pristine beaches. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, as the nation mourns the lives lost in this devastating tragedy. The United States has experienced a sharp increase in deadly plane crashes in 2025, marking a concerning shift in aviation safety trends. So far this year, 19 fatal aviation incidents have occurred, resulting in at least 106 deaths. Before 2025, the last fatal U.S. airliner crash occurred in 2009. While general aviation accidents—such as small private planes—have accounted for most fatal crashes in recent years, this year's incidents have raised alarm due to their frequency and impact. The NTSB has confirmed that preliminary reports for each 2025 aviation accident will be released within 30 days of the incident. However, full investigations, which determine probable causes and contributing factors, will take 12 to 24 months to complete. As aviation authorities continue their investigations, safety concerns remain high following the unexpected surge in fatal U.S. plane crashes this year.
Fox News
18-03-2025
- General
- Fox News
Small plane crashes after take off from Caribbean island along Honduras' coast, killing at least 12
At least a dozen people died after a plane crashed off the Caribbean coast of Honduras Monday evening, authorities said. The plane crashed seconds after taking off from the Juan Manuel Galvez Airport on Roatan Island, according to the country's Civil Aeronautics Agency. Its destination was meant to be the nearby island of La Ceiba. Honduran President Xiomara Castro said the wreckage was found less than a mile off the coast of Roatan Island. Two crew members and 15 passengers were onboard the small aircraft, a Jetstream 32 operated by Honduran airline Lanhsa, according to the aeronautics agency. Those aboard the plane included an American national, a French national and two minors, Reuters reported, citing the flight manifest shown by local media. Five people were rescued from the incident, but one remains missing, Honduran firefighters said. Local firefighters said among the dead was well-known Honduran musician Aurelio Martinez Suazo, according to Reuters. The accident was reportedly caused by a suspected mechanical failure of the aircraft, Roatan Mayor Ronnie Richard McNap Thompson said. Fox News reached out to Lanhsa Airlines for more information but did not immediately receive a response. Civil aviation official Carlos Padilla told AFP news agency that the plane "made a sharp turn to the right of the runway and fell into the water," CBS reported. The government of Honduras activated several emergency services, including the Armed Forces, firefighters and police. "The Government of Honduras deeply regrets the tragic accident in Roatan," the government said in a post on X Monday. The armed forces also said in a post on X that "rapid response teams continue working in the area to safeguard the lives of those affected." Dramatic video of the incident shows emergency crews conducting rescue efforts from the sea. Roatan Fire Capt. Franklin Borjas told Reuters the survivors were transported to a nearby hospital but noted that adverse conditions complicated the search and rescue efforts 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 said efforts to find the sole missing passenger will continue Tuesday when weather and visibility conditions are expected to improve.
MTV Lebanon
18-03-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
At least 12 dead in Honduras plane crash
At least 12 people have been killed after a plane crashed off the Caribbean coast of Honduras on Monday evening, officials said. The aircraft - operated by Honduran airline Lanhsa - crashed into the sea within a minute of take-off from the island of Roatán. The Honduran national police and fire department separately said five people had been rescued, while one person is yet to be found. The cause of the crash is not yet known, but Roatán's mayor told local media it wasn't because of the weather, which was normal. The Honduran Civil Aeronautics Agency said an investigation was under way. The Jetstream 32 aircraft had taken off from the island's Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport at 18:18 local time (00:18 GMT on Tuesday), and was bound for Golosón International Airport in La Ceiba on the Honduran mainland. Civil aviation official Carlos Padilla said, quoted by AFP news agency, that the plane "made a sharp turn to the right of the runway and fell into the water". In a statement on social media, the government expressed "solidarity" with the families of the victims. "The Government of Honduras deeply regrets the tragic accident in Roatán and joins in the national mourning," it added. Following the crash, Honduran President Xiomara Castro "immediately activated" the country's emergency committee, comprised of all emergency services including the military, police, fire department, Red Cross and the Ministry of Health. Writing on X, she said the committee team was "working tirelessly" to provide assistance. "May God protect people's lives," Castro added. Videos shared by officials on social media showed rescue teams working in darkness along a rocky coastline, with small boats and stretchers. In a post on X accompanied by photos, the Honduran armed forces said survivors with injuries were taken to a hospital in the city of San Pedro Sula by air force planes. According to local media reports, among the dead was well-known Honduran musician Aurelio Martinez Suazo. Suazo was a member of the Garifuna, a people of mixed indigenous and Afro-Caribbean descent originating from the island of St Vincent which has a distinct musical style.
