The bodies of two of the French nationals who met their untimely deaths in a plane crash on Sunday, January 26, 2025, have been recovered. A recovery strategy will be implemented to retrieve the bodies of the other two individuals who were on the flight.
The 4-seater Cessna 172, Skyhawk, departed from Douglas-Charles Airport, destined for Martinique, when communication was lost. The crashed aircraft was located in the mountains near the village of Laplaine on Monday, January 27, 2025. The bodies of the first two victims were discovered the following day, Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
During a press briefing about the plane crash, Deputy Chief of Police Lincoln Corbette stated that one female and one male body found at the crash site were pronounced dead by a medical doctor and subsequently transported to the Gentle Rest Funeral Home. All four bodies have been identified by the French search team, all being lifeless. However, it was deemed too risky to attempt to recover the other two bodies, as one was located underneath the aircraft and the other was trapped inside it.
“The area is very precipitous and it was determined that the aircraft is holding on to twigs and is very unstable. Therefore any attempt to enter the aircraft to recover the crash victim and also the victim below the aircraft will almost be suicidal,” Corbette explained.
Meantime, Minister of National Security and Legal Affairs Rayburn Blackmoore said the intention is to recover the bodies, and also follow safety protocols that are adhered to at all times, as far as the rescue team is concerned.
“I have been, from day one, in direct contact with the French ambassador and other officials. Based on what we have been told by our French partners they have been able to identify, and to locate the requisite expertise and specialized talents to shift the bodies,” Blackmoore stated.
He said one of the solutions that was presented to the Dominica team was the possibility of trying to get the aircraft into a lower plateau-like elevation.
“But that in itself was very dangerous. It is an intervention that will require the men using ropes to descend on the plane and to ensure that there is a certain degree of stability. The plane is [on] a mountain top, if the plane is pushed too much the plane is going to descend into a precipice. And we do not want our rescue team to be in a situation whereby lives are lost,” Blackmoore added.
Timeline of events and developments:
January 26, 2025 – 3:46 PM: A 4-seater Cessna 172 departs from Douglas-Charles Airport in Dominica, en route to Martinique. Shortly after takeoff, communications are lost, raising alarms about the aircraft’s safety.
January 27, 2025 – 7:01 AM: The Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority (DASPA) reports the aircraft missing. Reports indicate there were four passengers on board. Local and French emergency teams commence a search operation. Police sources suggest the aircraft may have gone down in the La Plaine area, where heavy rains have affected visibility and conditions.
January 27, 2025 – 4:00 PM: The owner of the aircraft speaks to French media, stating that it was in excellent condition and well-equipped. He expresses concern that weather conditions, including heavy rains and high winds, may have played a role in the incident. The identities of the passengers begin to emerge, revealing they were all young Martinicans, including two pilots.
January 27, 2025 – 8:57 PM: Authorities confirm the wreckage of the aircraft has been located approximately three kilometers west of La Plaine. Unfortunately, three bodies are spotted at the site, and the search operation shifts from rescue to recovery. The area proves challenging for recovery teams, and operations are suspended until dawn the following day for safety reasons.
January 28, 2025 – 10:00 AM: French authorities open a judicial investigation into involuntary manslaughter related to the crash. The investigation will look into potential negligence regarding the flight’s takeoff under adverse weather conditions. Specialized teams begin preparations for recovery operations.
January 29, 2025: Families of the victims are informed that there were no survivors. Among the deceased is 24-year-old Marcelline Martinon, who was passionate about audiovisual work and was on a shooting trip with friends. Her father expresses deep sorrow and anger, blaming authorities for allowing the flight to proceed despite the severe weather.
January 30, 2025: The chief of staff of the prefect in Martinique met with the families and loved ones of the victims. He assured them of his determination to do everything within his power and in consideration of the danger posed to the lives of rescuers their power, to recover the bodies of the victims.
February 3rd: Dominica’s National Security Minister holds a press conference at which it is announced that ongoing recovery operations have brought about the successful retrieval of two bodies by firefighters from the Civil Security team, with further efforts planned to recover the remaining victims.
Nobody believes what the likes of Skarrat, MoreBlack and Corbelle says because we all know them to be great liars and workers of that which is very bad. In fact these three workers of iniquity are the reason are the main reasons why Dominican is stock in a reverse gear and just can’t go forward
Boy, based on reputation I can’t believe anything these two guys. Blackmore and Corbett are saying sorry. according to PM Roosevelt Skerrit, ” Dominica is not a real country “. if Dominica was a real country these two men would definitely be wearing a different suit, in a different location.