Passengers and crew on a ship stuck in thick ice in Antarctica are to be taken off by helicopter once the weather permits, Russian officials say.
The decision has been made after an Australian icebreaker making a fresh rescue attempt had to turn back.
The Russian-flagged research vessel Akademik Shokalskiy has been stuck in ice for nearly a week. It is carrying 74 scientists, tourists and crew.
The ship is stocked with food and is in no danger, the team on board says.
The third attempt to rescue the vessel – by Australian icebreaker Aurora Australis – failed early on Monday because of fierce winds and poor visibility.
Earlier attempts by Chinese and French icebreakers to reach the ship were also foiled by the thick ice.
The Shokalskiy was trapped on Christmas Eve by thick sheets of ice, driven by strong winds, about 1,500 nautical miles south of Hobart – the capital of the Australian state of Tasmania.
