On the night of March 17 (local time), a flight carrying a world-famous musician crashed on its way from Roatan (Honduras) to the port of La Ceiba. The accident killed 12 people. 

According to The Guardian, the Aerolinea Lanhsa flight had an accident and crashed into the sea on the night of March 17 (local time). The plane departed from Roatan – one of Honduras’ main tourist destinations – heading to the mainland port of La Ceiba.

The crash site was about 800 meters from Roatan Island. A civil aviation official said the plane veered off the runway and crashed into the water.

Authorities arrived at the scene of the accident. Photo: Reuters.

The plane was carrying 15 passengers and three crew members. Preliminary reports said 12 people died and one person was missing after the accident. Five passengers on the flight were fortunately rescued.

Honduran President Xiomara Castro said she had immediately activated an emergency committee consisting of armed forces, firefighters and other units to assist the victims.

Renowned Honduran musician Aurelio Martinez was among the dead. Injured passengers were taken to hospital in the mainland city of San Pedro Sula.

Musician Aurelio Martinez died in a plane crash .

Aurelio Martinez was born in 1969. He grew up in a village on the Caribbean coast of Honduras. Aurelio Martinez’s father was a busker and introduced him to music.

At the age of 14, Aurelio Martinez left his village to attend school. He was soon performing with famous Latin orchestras and writing music for musical theater groups. Aurelio Martinez also formed his own band and became one of the most famous artists in Central America during the 1990s.

Aurelio Martinez has done a great job in preserving and promoting Garifuna music to the world. He is also the first black congressman of Honduras.