A small aircraft that went missing near Kiruna has been located with its two occupants safe and in good condition after concerns arose they had not returned as scheduled.
A small plane disappeared on Saturday evening north of Kiruna, Sweden, with two people onboard who failed to return by their scheduled time. Shortly before 11 PM, it was reported that both individuals were found safe after landing at a cabin. Johan Wahlström from the Swedish Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) stated that the pair had been unable to communicate their well-being to their relatives due to issues with their satellite phone after spending time at the cabin.
The missing aircraft triggered a search and rescue operation that included a Norwegian rescue helicopter from Tromsø, which took off shortly before 10 PM but turned back just before reaching the border. Additionally, police and mountain rescue services were involved in the search effort after alarms were raised when the plane did not return as planned. The two individuals had taken off that morning intending to reach a remote cabin about 80 kilometers north of Kiruna, with plans to be back by 4 PM.
The incident highlights the risks associated with flying in remote areas, where communication can be challenging, and coordinates the collaborative efforts between Norwegian and Swedish rescue services in ensuring the safety of individuals in distress. The successful outcome of finding the occupants unharmed underscores the importance of rapid response in search and rescue operations in such scenarios.
