Honduran President Xiomara Castro announced that she has quickly mobilized an Emergency Operations Committee, bringing together multiple agencies to respond to the crash.
The country’s transport ministry reported that there were 14 people on board, including crew members.
One of the victims was Honduran musician and politician Aurelio Martínez.
Martínez was a prominent figure in the Garífuna music scene, representing the Afro-Indigenous community whose heritage traces back to St. Vincent.
Belize’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade honored his memory, describing him as a “great friend of Belize and a true champion of Garífuna culture and music.”
Belize joins Honduras in mourning the passing of Aurelio Martínez Sauzo, one of six victims who perished in a plane crash near Roatán, Honduras.
Aurelio was a great friend of Belize and a true champion of Garífuna culture and music. As a renowned Garífuna musician, Aurelio was… pic.twitter.com/ST85A1n6P6
— Belize MFAFT 🇧🇿 (@MFABelize) March 18, 2025
“His passing leaves a void in the world of music and culture, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who loved his art and his people.”
According to reports, the plane crash was caused by a mechanical issue. The State Department has confirmed that an American citizen was among the victims and has expressed their condolences to the family.
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