Passengers aboard a Russian scientific research ship who have been stuck in Antarctica ice since Christmas now have hope to make it home in the coming days: Rescue operators say they’re sending in the helicopters as soon as the weather’s right.
The Guardian reported that Greg Mortimer, a co-leader of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, sent word to the dozens aboard the stuck MV Akademik Shokalskiy that they’re preparing now for the air rescue, with plans to land aboard the Chinese icebreaker Xue Long and evacuate passengers off the Russian craft.
The only holdup is weather. The Guardian said Tuesday morning dawned with rain, heavy winds and clouds.
“We’re not going to be flying today, possibly not even tomorrow,” said Chris Turney, a climate scientist at the University of New South Wales and a leader of the AAE, in The Guardian.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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