Tourist ship gets stuck in ice near Antarctica on Christmas Day




Scientists, explorers and tourists onboard a cruise ship in Antarctica were forced to spend Christmas Day waiting to be rescued when the vessel became trapped in ice.

Russian liner MV Akademik Shokalskiy was stranded 1,500 nautical miles south of Tasmania and two days away from the nearest ship with ice-breaking abilities.

According to Sky News, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority is coordinating the search and rescue, and received a distress signal on Christmas Day morning.

Three ships are on their way but will take at least two days to reach the 74 passengers.

An Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokeswoman told The Guardian: "It's in quite a remote part of the world. But we have everyone safe. The vessel isn't in any immediate danger."

Passenger Chris Turney, a scientist and writer, posted a video of the ship stuck in the ice and tweeted: "We're in the ice like the explorers of old! All are well and spirits are high. Happy Christmas from the AA."



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