Twelve people have perished in a plane crash in Honduras, including a well-known musician.

On Monday, just after taking off, a plane crashed off the coast of Roatan Island, killing Garifuna musician Aurelio Martinez and eleven other people.

The nation’s transport ministry reported that the airline, Lanhsa, was transporting three crew members and fourteen passengers.

The deaths, which also included two children, a French national, and a US national, were confirmed by national police, according to local media.

The aircraft was supposed to land at the Honduran mainland’s La Ceiba airport.

Officials from the police and fire department described the ongoing rescue operation.

Images showed emergency personnel recovering bodies from the sea on Monday night by torchlight.

Located off the coast of Honduras, Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands and a well-liked tourist destination because of its coral reefs.

According to Franklin Borjas, the local fire chief, unfavorable weather has made search and rescue operations more difficult.

The fire department added that they were still looking for the final victim.

“I have immediately activated the Emergency Operations Committee (COE) team, which consists of the Honduran Fire Department, the Armed Forces, COPECO, the National Police, 911, the Red Cross, the Ministry of Health, and SAN,” stated President Xiomara Castro of Honduras.

“They are working nonstop to help with the sad incident and have already arrived at the scene of the plane crash that happened 1km from Roatan International Airport.

“Injured passengers can now be treated at the public hospitals in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba.

“May God protect people’s lives.”