Six Lives Lost in Rio Tinto Mine-Bound Plane Crash

AFP/APP
Ottawa: Six individuals lost their lives in a tragic incident on Tuesday when a small commuter plane, en route to a Rio Tinto mine in Canada’s frigid far north, crashed shortly after takeoff.
The Australian mining giant confirmed the crash, expressing condolences for the fatalities among its personnel.
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton, Ontario, reported the loss of contact with the plane just after its departure at approximately 8:50 a.m. local time from Fort Smith, located 320 kilometers southwest of the regional capital, Yellowknife. Canadian Rangers, utilizing snowmobiles, located the wreckage, and search and rescue technicians were deployed to the scene by parachute.
Operated by Northwestern Air, the Jetstream twin turboprop airliner crashed 1.1 kilometers from the end of the runway. All flights departing from Fort Smith have been suspended until Wednesday. Canada’s Transportation Safety Board has initiated an investigation into the accident.
Rio Tinto’s CEO, Jakob Stausholm, conveyed the company’s deepest sympathy to the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy. He expressed profound sadness, pledging full support to the grieving community and affected individuals.