Wellington, Jan 24 (IANS): New Zealand mounted an international search operation 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.

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) was coordinating the search after the Twin Otter aircraft emergency locator transmitter was activated at around 10 p.m. Wednesday, reported Xinhua.

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 US authorities were asked for assistance, and an Air National Guard C130 aircraft flew to the position, but was unable to sight the downed aircraft.

A joint New Zealand and US 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.