Plane crashes in Canadian Arctic, 12 killed

In this July 15, 2009, photo, a Boeing 737 (737-200) jetliner is seen in Edmonton, Canada. A Boeing 737 operated by First Air crashed near Resolute Bay, Nunavut, killing 12 people on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011, in Canada. AP

RESOLUTE BAY—Police say a chartered Boeing 737 plane has crashed in Canada’s Arctic region, killing 12 people.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the plane went down Saturday afternoon near the hamlet of Resolute Bay in the Arctic territory of Nunavut. The First Air charter flight was traveling from Yellowknife to Resolute Bay.

RCMP Constable Angelique Dignard says 12 people died in the crash and three people were injured. The plane was carrying 15 people, including four crew members.

Maj. Gerald Favre at the northern search and rescue center at Canadian Forces Base Trenton says its aircraft were already in the area as part of an operational exercise, and have been able to assist local people in the rescue operation. He says the plane that crashed was not part of the exercise.