N.W.T. plane crash: Fatal flight was headed to Diavik diamond mine

globalnews.ca:

Rio Tinto confirmed Tuesday night.“We have been informed by authorities that a plane on its way to our Diavik mine, carrying a number of our people, crashed near Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada, resulting in fatalities,” the company said.The Northwest Territories Coroner’s Service said there were fatalities from the plane crash near the community of Fort Smith, N.W.T. It did not say how many have died or give further details, saying it must first notify next of kin.The international mining company released a statement of condolences, but did not say how many people were killed or if all were employees.“I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who have been affected by this tragedy.

As a company we are absolutely devastated by this news and offering our full support to our people and the community who are grieving today,” said Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm.“We are working closely with authorities and will help in any way we can with their efforts to find out exactly what has happened.”The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said the plane that crashed near Fort Smith was a British Aerospace Jetstream registered to Northwestern Air Lease.The airline’s website says it has two of the planes in its fleet that can carry 19 passengers. There is no word on how many people were on the plane that crashed.Police in the N.W.T.

are assisting. RCMP said in an email that Transport Canada and search-and-rescue teams have been brought in.In a statement, N.W.T.

Premier R.J. Simpson responded to the “tragic Northwestern Air crash.”“It is with a heavy heart that I express my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who were aboard the