CNN –
An unknown number of people died after a plane en route to a diamond mine crashed in Canada's Northwest Territories near the city of Fort Smith on Tuesday, officials said.
According to a statement from the group on Tuesday, some of the passengers on board the plane were employees of Rio Tinto, a global mining company.
The company did not say how many of its workers were on the plane, but noted that the crash claimed lives while the plane was en route to a company diamond mine.
The Northwest Territories coroner also said there were fatalities in the crash, but did not provide the number, according to a CNN news release.
“At this time, we can confirm that there is a fatality, however we will not provide any further information until next of kin is present,” Northwest Territories Coroner Garth Eggenberger said in a news release.
In response to the crash, Fort Smith Health Center activated its mass casualty protocol around 8:50 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority.
The crash also prompted responses from the Royal Canadian Mounted Patrol, the Canadian Rangers and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Investigators from the Northwest Territories Coroner's Office and the Transportation Safety Board were also sent to Fort Smith following the crash.
According to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, which is investigating the crash, the plane involved was a British Aerospace Jetstream registered to Northwestern Air Lease. According to Northwestern Air Lease's website, the aircraft can carry up to 19 passengers. CNN has reached out to Northwestern Air Lease for comment.
RJ Simpson, Premier of the Northwest Territories, released a statement expressing his deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of those on board the aircraft. He also encouraged affected residents to seek support and utilize mental health resources provided by the government.
“The impact of this incident is being felt throughout the area,” Simpson said. “The people we lost weren’t just passengers on a flight; They were neighbors, colleagues, friends and loved ones. Their stories and contributions to our communities will not be forgotten.”
On Tuesday morning, the Canadian Rangers and Royal Canadian Air Force responded to a report of a loss of contact with an aircraft outside Fort Smith, David Lavallee, a public affairs officer with the RCAF in Winnipeg, told CNN's Canadian news partner CBC News.
According to CNN's weather team, visibility was poor in the early hours of Tuesday morning but improved around 10 a.m.
The Air Force flew a CC 138 Twin Otter from Yellowknife and a CC 130J Hercules in Trenton to assist in search and rescue, Lavallee said. Additional training units in Calgary were also dispatched.
As part of the response, the RCMP and Canadian Rangers also conducted ground searches, Lavallee told CBC.
After the crash Tuesday morning, Fort Smith officials asked to stay away from the crash site so officers could respond.
“Please be aware that an aviation accident occurred this morning,” the city of Fort Smith said in a post on Facebook. “This is a new situation and the City of Fort Smith is preparing to respond and provide assistance in any way.”
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police told CNN they would be assisting the coroner's office and TSB with the investigation throughout the night.
This is a developing story and will be updated.