Aurelio Martinez: Famous Garifuna musician one of many killed in Honduras plane crash
Local officials are trying to piece together the final moments before a Lanhsa Airlines flight crashed into the sea shortly after taking off in Honduras, killing at least 11 people including a famous musician.
Renowned Garifuna performer Aurelio Martinez was among those who lost their lives when the plane reportedly turned sharply, lost altitude and crashed off the coast of Roatan Island, Honduras, on Monday.
The flight was headed for the La Ceiba airport on the Honduran mainland and according to the country’s transport ministry was carrying 14 passengers and three crew members.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Five people have been rescued and one person is still unaccounted for, according to local authorities.
Rescue teams, including police and fire officials have been working to recover bodies from the sea using whatever light they could find including hand held torches.
Local fire chief Franklin Borjas noted that adverse weather conditions had complicated search and rescue efforts.
“It’s been difficult to access the accident (site) because there are 30ms of rocks and you can’t get there while walking or swimming,” Roatan fire captain Franklin Borjas told Reuters.
“The divers helping with the rescue have zero visibility.”
Tributes have flowed for Aurelio Martinez, 55, who lost his life in the crash and will be remembered as one of the finest musicians to hail from Garifuna communities.
Martínez,was Honduras’s first Black congressman, had recorded a string of records as well as a Tiny Desk concert for US National Public Radio. He was described by the Guardian in 2017 as “the finest living exponent of the lilting, soulful music of the Garifuna people”.
“We’re devastated,” his nephew Ángel Aparicio Fernández said.
“He was the family’s pillar.”Martínez was a member of Los Gatos Bravos before forming his own group Lita Ariran. His first album “Garifuna Soul” took him to Europe, the United States and other parts of the world.“He was the greatest model from Honduras of Garifuna music on a worldwide stage,” Mr Fernández added.
Roatan, the largest of the Bay Islands, is a well-known tourist destination famous for its coral reefs which have hampered the search and rescue efforts.
- With AP
