Icebreakers fail to free Russian research ship stuck in the Antarctic
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The penguins watching the increasingly bizarre multinational events unfolding in the Antarctic look rightly bemused.
A Russian research ship, the Akademik Shokalskiy, has been trapped in thick sea ice, with 74 passengers on board, since Christmas Day. A Chinese icebreaker, the Snow Dragon, was sent to release the stricken vessel, but was stopped in its tracks, within eyesight of the trapped ship, by thick ice and bad weather.
The Snow Dragon's captain, Wang Jianzhong, told the Xinhua news agency that the ice and an upcoming cyclone meant "we have to... stall the ship".
Yesterday, another ship was said to be steaming towards the Antarctic to help, from Australia; the Aurora Australis is due to arrive tonight.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority, co-ordinating the rescue, told Reuters that, should the latest rescue attempt fail, a helicopter on the Snow Dragon could airlift the passengers to safety.
A third icebreaker, the French L'Astrolabe, arrived yesterday, but was forced to call off its mission after failing to break through the ice 1,500 nautical miles south of Tasmania.
The Akademik Shokalskiy left New Zealand on 28 November on a privately funded expedition to commemorate the 100th anniversary of an Antarctic journey led by famed Australian explorer Douglas Mawson.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments