Argentine Icebreaker approaches German vessel stuck in Antarctica

The Argentine icebreaker Almirante Irizar is less than 50 miles away from the German ship Magdalena Oldendorff, trapped in the Antarctic ice since last month. The Irizar is slowly approaching to its target in the middle of an ice field of 2 meters thick, reported National Navy yesterday.

In the cable, the Irizar Captain informed that temperatures in the region reached 30 Degrees below zero. The icebreaker already sailed a 9 thousands kilometer journey and needs better weather conditions to start its rescuing operations.

In the meantime, there are still 18 people in the Magdalena Oldendorff waiting for the Irizar. They will stayed on the ship to lead it through the ice once the Argentine vessel starts unblocking the way through the ocean.

The Argentine icebreaker participates together with the South African vessel Agulhas, which already has rescued around 80 Russian scientists. It is expected to reach the trapped ship by next week.

Hernan Etchaleco PRAVDA.Ru Argentina

BBC Photo: The “Almirante Irizar” slowly advances through the ice