A small plane has crashed into a hillside in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region killing three people and critically injuring another one.

On Jun. 15, the plane crashed in Chifeng City in the afternoon. The injured person, still conscious despite head and chest injuries, was rushed to a hospital.

Rescuers said the eight-seat plane was on a mine exploring mission. 12 fire fighters were dispatched to the scene and technicians from the company that owns the plane are also on their way.

Photograph: The Y12II aircraft (Rego. B-3841), which belongs to China FlyIng Dragon Special Aviation Company, crashed into a hillside in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Jun. 15.