As many as six persons were killed in a tragic plane crash on Roatan Island, off the coast of Honduras, Reuters reported citing the fire chief. The incident occurred when the plane went off the runway at Juan Manuel Galvez Airport and plunged into the sea. The aircraft, operated by the Honduran carrier Lanhsa, was carrying 17 passengers, including three crew members.

The island's police chief Lisandro said the plane crashed into the water shortly after take off in comments to local broadcaster Noticiero Hoy Mismo.

Roatan fire chief Wilmer Guerrero, cited by the aforementioned news agency, told local broadcaster HCH that eight persons were still believed to be inside the plane. He said the rescue mission was turning difficult because the plane fell into the sea.   

A large-scale rescue operation was launched immediately following the crash, with ambulances arriving swiftly to assist the injured. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, as authorities work to gather more details about the incident.