Société
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New Zealand search and rescue authorities were organizing an international search operation on Thursday for three Canadian men who were reported missing on a flight from the South Pole to the Italian base at Antarctica's Terra Nova Bay.
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The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) was coordinating the search after the Twin Otter aircraft's emergency locator transmitter was activated at around 10 p.m. (New Zealand time) on Wednesday.
The beacon was transmitting from the northern end of the Queen Alexandra Range, within New Zealand's search and rescue region, said a statement from RCCNZ.
Search and Rescue mission coordinator Mike Roberts said in the statement that United States authorities at McMurdo were asked for assistance, and an Air National Guard C130 aircraft flew to the position, but was unable to sight the downed aircraft.
A second Twin Otter was scheduled to take off at around 8 a.m. from McMurdo Station and fly over the area, with the aim of establishing a forward base approximately 50 km from the site, which was in a mountainous area.
A helicopter from New Zealand's Scott Base was setting off with the Twin Otter, and would refuel en route.
A joint New Zealand and U.S. field rescue team would attempt to reach the site by helicopter when conditions improved.
Weather conditions were currently poor, with total cloud cover and increasing winds.
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