Aid Coming to Russian Polar Explorers Stranded in Ice

Two transporters have set out from station Komsomolskaya to help Russian polar explorers bound from station Vostok to station Mirny, Vladimir Kuchin, deputy head of the Russian Antarctic expedition, said on Thursday.

According to him, the vehicles left Komsomolskaya on Wednesday afternoon and had covered about 45 kilometres by evening. In that way, the distance to traverse before meeting with the stranded explorers is about 145 kilometres.

On February 26, 20 Russian polar workers completed the deactivation of station Vostok and left for the shore-based station of Mirny. But because of a breakdown of one of the two transporters they had to halt 190 kilometres short of Komsomolskaya.

Nothing threatens the explorers' life and health: the trek was initially planned for days, and the requisite food and fuel stocks are available, Kuchin stressed.

On Wednesday, a train of five transporters from Mirny arrived at Komsomolskaya, two of which at once moved on towards Vostok. They are expected to take three days to reach the explorers.

With the broken transporter repaired, all four vehicles will arrive at Komsomolskaya where necessary maintenance will be done, and then all polar workers will travel to Mirny, where they are to spend the polar winter.