At least 12 people dead after plane crashes into sea moments after takeoff

At least 12 people have been killed following a plane crash off the coast of the Central American nation Honduras.

The Jetstream 32 aircraft, which was operated by Honduran airline Lanhsa, crashed into the sea within a minute of taking off from the island of Roatán, the BBC reports.

In separate statements following the accident, the local police and fire department confirmed that five people had been rescued, with one person still being unaccounted for.

It is believed that at least 12 people were killed in the crash.

Roatán's mayor informed local media that the crash was not caused by the weather, with the cause remaining unknown at the time. Meanwhile, the Honduran Civil Aeronautics Agency have confirmed that an investigation is taking place.

The plane took off from Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport at 6.18pm local time on Monday (17 March), and was travelling to Golosón International Airport in La Ceiba, a city on the Honduran mainland.

According to civil aviation official Carlos Padilla, the plane had 'made a sharp turn to the right of the runway and fell into the water', reports CBS News.

The Honduran government also took to social media to share a statement, saying: "The Government of Honduras deeply regrets the tragic accident in Roatán and joins in the national mourning."

Honduran President Xiomara Castro 'immediately activated' the nation's emergency committee, which is made up of the military, police, fire department, Red Cross and the Ministry of Health.

Speaking on X, she added: "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. May God protect people's lives."

It has been reported by local media that among those deceased is a popular musician local to the region, as a chilling video of the incident was posted on social media by the national police, showing rescue workers carrying a survivor onto the shore.

Other videos shared by officials show rescue teams working in the dark along the coast, with small boats and stretchers on hand to help survivors.

It is reported that the plane had 15 passengers onboard, as well as two pilots and just one flight attendant.

The police claimed in a statement online that the accident was caused by an 'apparent mechanical failure' on the British-made aircraft.

Those who were injured in the crash were taken to a hospital in the city of San Pedro Sula in the mainland, according to Major Wilmer Guerrero.