Icebreakers saving ships stranded in Russia’s Far East

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Two Russian icebreakers are rescuing an entire fleet of vessels stranded off the country's Far East coast.

Icebreaker  “Admiral Makarov” and “Magadan” have been dispatched to help five ships locked in ice in the Sakhalin strait.

They are now busy rescuing trawler “Cape Elizabeth”, which is in danger of running ashore. Ice surrounding the ship is dragging it towards the coast.

Another trawler “Anton Gurin” has also sent out an emergency signal and needs assistance. Other vessels are reportedly safe and have enough supplies of food, water and fuel.

In total, around five hundred people are stranded aboard the fleet. The captains say there is no immediate danger to the lives of their crews.

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