Polar specialist Quark Expeditions has confirmed that one person has died and two are injured after an incident in the Arctic Circle.

The passengers were onboard a sightseeing zodiac when it capsized outside of Longyearbyen, Svalbard at 11am on 17 June. The two injured passengers are not critical but are receiving care onshore.

The statement read as follows:

Quark Expeditions Inc. regrets to confirm that an accident has occurred during a Zodiac sightseeing excursion near the14th of July Glacier, just outside of Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway, at approximately 11:00 AM local time today. A Zodiac carrying 12 passengers capsized, resulting in the fatality of one passenger and the injury of two other passengers. The injured passengers are not critical but are receiving medical care in Longyearbyen.

Quark Expeditions is doing everything possible to assist those involved and the local authorities during this difficult time. The ship, Sea Spirit, is currently in Ny Alesund, Svalbard, Norway, has undergone a full investigation by authorities, and has been released to continue the expedition.

We will issue further statements as soon as more information becomes available.