A PLANE carrying 17 people has tragically crashed into the sea killing a popular music star.
12 people died after the aircraft struck the Caribbean Sea just minutes after it took off from Roatan Island, Honduras, on Monday.
ReutersAt least seven people died in a plane crash[/caption]
AFPHonduran rescue teams carrying an injured man after a plane crash[/caption]
ReutersThe plane crashed minutes after departing from Roatan Island[/caption]
Several US nationals, a French citizen, and two children were among those killed in the horror air disaster.
The plane was set to fly to La Ceiba airport, on the Honduran mainland, before the deadly crash.
The popular Honduran musician and politician Aurelio Martinez Suazo was tragically found among the dead.
The Jetstream aircraft, operated by Honduran airline Lanhsa, was carrying 14 passengers and three crew members, according to the country’s transport minister.
Honduran national police confirmed the death toll and said: “At this time, only one body remains to be recovered, as rescue teams continue their work.”
This terrifying air disaster happened at 6:18pm just after leaving the Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport.
Dramatic images showed the desperate rescue mission launched by officials into the evening.
Heroic teams dragged survivors out of the water and onto the island’s rocky coastline.
Roatan fire captain Franklin Borjas revealed the adverse conditions rescuers faced off the island.
Borjas said: “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.
“The divers helping with the rescue have zero visibility.”
The cause of the deadly crash was not immediately clear.
Honduran President Xiomara Castro revealed an Emergency Operations Committee was set up to aid the rescue mission.
She said: “They have immediately arrived at the scene of the plane crash that occurred 1 km from Roatán International Airport and are tirelessly assisting in the unfortunate incident.”
Roatan, the largest of the Bay Islands just off the Honduran coast, is a popular tourist attraction and famed for its vibrant coral reefs.
AFPHonduran President Xiomara Castro revealed an Emergency Operations Committee was immediately set up to aid the rescue operation[/caption]
AFPRescue crews helping an injured man[/caption]
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