The Northwest Territories coronerSA国际影视传媒檚 office is expected to provide an update this morning into a deadly plane crash near the town of Fort Smith.

The condition of those on the plane was not immediately available, but the coronerSA国际影视传媒檚 office says there were fatalities.

The plane took off on Tuesday morning 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, about 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife.

SA国际影视传媒淎s a company we are absolutely devastated by this news and offering our full support to our people and the community who are grieving today,SA国际影视传媒� Rio Tinto said a statement.

The aircraft was registered to Northwestern Air Lease, which said it had been chartered.

It remains unclear how many people were aboard, though the airlineSA国际影视传媒檚 website says the type of plane in question can carry 19 passengers.

SA国际影视传媒擝y The Canadian Press