Music star and 11 others killed in plane crash off coast of Honduras

The plane carrying 17 people went down shortly after take off. It was carrying several US nationals, a French citizen, two children and a famous musician.

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.

Several US nationals, a French citizen, and two children were among those killed in the horror air disaster, The Sun reported.

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.

12 people have died in a plane crash in Honduras. Picture: Reuters

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 just after leaving the Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport on Monday evening.

Dramatic images showed the desperate rescue mission launched by officials into the night.

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.

Honduran rescue teams carrying an injured man after a plane crash. Picture: AFP

“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,” he said.

“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.

“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,” she said.

Roatan, the largest of the Bay Islands just off the Honduran coast, is a popular tourist attraction and famed for its vibrant coral reefs.

The island, around 35 miles away from the mainland, is popular among divers.

This story originally appeared on The Sun and was republished with permission.