In a devastating incident, a plane carrying workers to Rio Tinto’s Diavik diamond mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories crashed shortly after take-off, resulting in six fatalities. The small Jetstream aircraft crashed near Fort Smith, leaving one survivor who was airlifted to a hospital in Yellowknife, according to the Northwest Territories coroner’s office.
Four passengers and two crew members from Northwestern Air lost their lives in the crash, which occurred about 500 meters from the end of the Fort Smith Regional Airport’s runway. The Joint Rescue Coordination Center Trenton reported losing contact with the plane shortly after take-off.
Rio Tinto, deeply saddened by the tragedy, expressed devastation over the news. CEO Jakob Stausholm stated, “We are absolutely devastated by this news,” and assured close collaboration with authorities in the ongoing investigation.
The Diavik Diamond Mine, situated about 300 kilometers northeast of Yellowknife, has been in operation since 2003, according to Rio Tinto’s website. The incident has had a profound impact on the local community, with Fort Smith’s deputy mayor, Dianna Korol, describing it as “very devastating” for the close-knit community.
RJ Simpson, the premier of the Northwest Territories, extended condolences to the victims’ families and friends, emphasizing the broader impact of the incident across the territory. “The people we lost were not just passengers on a flight; they were neighbours, colleagues, friends, and loved ones. Their stories and contributions to our communities will not be forgotten,” Mr. Simpson stated.
Both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada are actively investigating the crash, seeking to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
