A Chinese icebreaker, the Snow Dragon, breaks free from heavy ice after being stranded in Antarctica for four days.

Full Story:

A Chinese icebreaker stranded in Antarctica broke free from the heavy ice and was making steady progress towards open waters on Tuesday, state media reported.

The Snow Dragon became trapped in isolated Commonwealth Bay on January 3 after using one of its helicopters to ferry to safety the passengers of a stranded Russian vessel.

The Russian-owned research ship, Akademik Shokalskiy, also broke out of the ice trap on Tuesday.

The United States Coast Guard ice breaker Polar Star was dispatched earlier this week to assist with the rescue operation.
It will continue to head towards the area until it is clear that both vessels are free of the ice field and no longer in danger.

The Snow Dragon says it will continue its Antarctic expedition to conduct scientific research.

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://ntd.tv
Follow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevision
Add us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2C