Yellowknife, Canada – In a devastating incident on Tuesday, a chartered Jetstream twin-turboprop destined for the remote Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the tragic loss of six lives.
Rio Tinto, the entity overseeing operations at the Diavik Diamond Mine, confirmed that four of the victims were mine workers, while the remaining two were members of the airline crew. A surviving Rio Tinto team member is currently undergoing treatment at local hospitals.
Expressing profound grief, Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm conveyed his condolences, stating, “We are feeling numb with the devastating news that we have lost dear friends and colleagues. I extend our deepest sympathy to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who have been affected by this tragedy.”
Stausholm further declared his intention to travel to the Northwest Territories to provide support to the grieving team and collaborate with authorities in comprehending the full scope of the incident in the days to come.
The tragic event unfolded when the chartered Jetstream, operated by Northwestern Air Lease Ltd., crashed shortly after departing from Fort Smith Airport in the Northwest Territories at 6:42 a.m. MST on Tuesday. The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada reported that the aircraft “collided with terrain” shortly after takeoff, resulting in a subsequent fire. The crash occurred on the banks of the Slave River, less than a mile from the runway’s end.
A TSB spokesperson revealed on Wednesday that a team of four investigators is actively collecting data, interviewing witnesses, and conducting a thorough examination of the wreckage and accident site. At present, the TSB cannot provide additional information on the incident.
The coroner’s office, in a statement released on Wednesday, disclosed that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have informed the families of the six victims, withholding their names for privacy reasons.
In memory of the lives lost, the town of Fort Smith organized a candlelight vigil on Wednesday evening. An open invitation posted on the town’s Facebook page read, “The recent loss of many of our friends or family members on a flight to the diamond mine has hit all of us very hard. That’s why we gather tonight. We can comfort each other by prayer, song, and our heartfelt thoughts.”
As a mark of respect and mourning, the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly lowered its flags to half-mast on Wednesday. The Hon. Shane Thompson, Assembly Speaker, expressed the collective grief, stating, “This is devastating for Fort Smith and the territory as a whole. We will grieve this loss together. This tragedy will have a lasting impact on all our friends and family across the NWT.”
The Diavik Diamond Mine, situated approximately 300 km (190 miles) from Yellowknife, the capital and largest city in Canada’s Northwest Territories, lies just 200 km (124 miles) south of the Arctic Circle. Due to its remote location, Rio Tinto relies on chartered flights for the transportation of workers to and from the mine.
