Chinese Icebreaker Rescued Russian Ship Trapped in Antarctica

Beijing, Jan 4 (Prensa Latina) The Chinese icebreaker Xuelong stuck in the ice of Antarctica and today runs the same fate of the Russian research ship Akademik Shokalskiy, from where it helped to rescue 52 passengers, as reported in this capital.

The movement of Xuelong or Dragon Snowy was blocked after the rescue of the Russians two days ago by an iceberg of a kilometer long that is moving toward the northwest, reported Xinhua journalists aboard the Xuelong.

Chinese icebreaker captain, Wang Jianzhong, said the tidal conditions are extremely complex in that area of the ocean and quickly change the position of the iceberg and floating ice.

For that reason, said Wang, the Xuelong will attempt the maneuver on the ice only after the giant iceberg is moved away today after the failure of a move in that direction.

The Maritime Safety Authority of Australia confirmed that there is no immediate danger for the staff onboard the Chinese vessel, with supplies for several weeks, said Xinhua angency .

President Xi Jinping urged to make every effort to ensure the lives of passengers and Xuelong and Prime Minister Li Kegiang asked the crew of the ship to remain calm.