Six Dead in Plane Crash Near Fort Smith, Northwest Territories

Fort Smith, Northwest Territories | A tragic plane crash near the community of Fort Smith in Canada‘s Northwest Territories has claimed the lives of six individuals, according to the NWT Coroner Service. The crash involved a British Aerospace Jetstream aircraft registered to Northwestern Air Lease. Among those deceased are four passengers and two crew members. Authorities have completed the notification of next of kin.

One survivor was fortunate enough to be rescued and transported to a health center in Fort Smith before being airlifted to a hospital in Yellowknife. The survivor’s condition is currently unknown.

Rio Tinto, the organization operating the Diavik diamond mine located around 300 kilometers northeast of Yellowknife, expressed their profound sadness over the loss of their team members. Rio Tinto CEO Jakob Stausholm offered his condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones affected by the tragedy. Stausholm expressed his intention to personally visit the Northwest Territories to offer support to the team.

In the aftermath of the accident, Rio Tinto has pledged to collaborate closely with authorities to aid in their investigation into the cause of the crash. The company aims to assist in uncovering the complete facts surrounding this tragic incident, supporting the efforts of the authorities in the coming weeks, months, and beyond.