The latest on the deadly plane crash near Fort Smith, N.W.T.

FORT SMITH, N.W.T. — A passenger plane crashed early Tuesday near the town of Fort Smith, N.W.T., close the Alberta boundary. The coroner’s office has confirmed there are fatalities.

Global mining giant Rio Tinto has said a number of its staff were on the plane headed to the Diavik Diamond Mine, 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife. 

Here are the latest developments. (All times are MT): 

8:45 a.m. 

The Northwest Territories coroner’s office is expected to provide an update today into the deadly plane crash near Fort Smith, N.W.T.

It has said there were fatalities, but there’s no word on how many.

The plane took off Tuesday from the airport in Fort Smith, near the Alberta boundary, when it lost contact and crashed near the banks of the Slave River.

Mining company Rio Tinto says a number of its staff were on the plane, which was headed to its Diavik Diamond Mine.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 24, 2024. 

The Canadian Press