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Chinese helicopter rescue in Antarctic successful
January 3, 2014, 5:18 am

 

Passengers from the trapped Russian vessel MV Akademik Shokalskiy, seen at right, prepare to board the Chinese helicopter Xueying 12 in the Antarctic Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014 [AP]

Passengers from the trapped Russian vessel MV Akademik Shokalskiy, seen at right, prepare to board the Chinese helicopter Xueying 12 in the Antarctic Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014 [AP]

A Chinese helicopter has rescued all 52 passengers from a Russian ship that’s been trapped in the Antarctic ice for over a week.

“The Chinese helicopter has arrived @ the Shokalskiy. It’s 100% we’re off! A huge thanks to all,” tweeted leader of the science expedition, Chris Turney aboard the trapped ship.

Adverse weather conditions had proven challenging for previous rescue attempts. Blinding snow, strong winds, fog and thick sea ice forced rescuers to turn back repeatedly.

The Russian ship Akademik Shokalsky was trapped in the Antarctic since Christmas Eve.

Three powerful icebreakers, including China’s Snow Dragon, were dispatched to help free it.

The rescued passengers have now been transferred to the Australian icebreaker, the Aurora Australis. The vessel will carry the passengers to the Australian island state of Tasmania due to arrive there by mid-January.

Source: Agencies