Roatan Island: At least six people were killed when a small passenger plane crashed after takeoff in Roatan Island in northern Honduras.

According to Qatar News Agency, a passenger plane carrying 18 people veered off the runway during takeoff and crashed into the sea during a flight from the island to the mainland. Six people were killed, while 10 others were rescued.

A Honduran civil aviation official suggested the cause of the accident was a mechanical failure in the aircraft, while authorities have opened an investigation into the circumstances.