Six dead after Honduras plane crashed into the water after takeoff

Tegucigalpa: Six fatalities have been reported after a plane attempted to take off from Roatan Island just off the coast of Honduras, the fire chief told local media late on Monday.

Wilmer Guerrero, the Roatan fire chief, told local broadcaster HCH that eight passengers are likely still inside the plane.

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

"Recovery and rescue (efforts) are difficult because the plane fell into the sea," he said.

Operated by Honduran carrier Lanhsa, the Jetstream aircraft was carrying 17 passengers, including three crew members, the country's transport minister told local radio but without detailing the number of fatalities.

According to the flight manifest shown by local media, the passengers included a US national, a French national, as well as two minors. The plane was scheduled to fly to La Ceiba airport on the Honduran mainland.