At least 12 people die as small aircraft crashes just after departing from Caribbean island near Honduras.

At least a dozen people died after a plane crashed off the Caribbean coast of Honduras Monday evening, authorities said.

The Civil Aeronautics Agency of the country reported that the plane crashed only moments after taking off from the Juan Manuel Galvez Airport on Roatan Island. The flight was supposed to head towards 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.

Onboard the aircraft, which was a Jetstream 32 operated by Honduran airline Lanhsa, there were two crew members and 15 passengers in total, as confirmed by the aeronautics agency.

Rescue teams work in the aftermath of a plane crash near Roatan Island, Honduras, on March 17, 2025.  (National Police of Honduras/Handout)

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 Captain Franklin Borjas informed Reuters that the survivors of the crash were taken to a nearby hospital. Nevertheless, he pointed out that adverse conditions presented challenges for the search and rescue operations 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. 

Reuters contributed to this report.