139 Stranded Fishermen Rescued from Ice Floe amid Strong Winds and Freezing Temperatures

Mar. 15, 2025

More than 100 fishermen have been rescued after becoming trapped on floating ice.

According toReuters, 139 men were rescued on Wednesday, Feb. 12, after being stranded on an ice floe floating in the Sea of Okhotsk between Russia and Japan.

The fishermen reportedly became stranded when a crack that was 10-meters (32-feet) long caused a block of ice to break away from the island of Sakhalin before floating to Okhotsk in the western Pacific, according toCNN.

Russia’s emergency services previously said that there were around 300 that were stranded and some of them refused “to leave without a catch under any circumstances,” per Reuters. CNN reported that the emergency services described the men as “extreme sports enthusiasts.”

Fishermen walking on frozen seas at the west coast of Sakhalin island in the Sea of Okhotsk in Feb. 2008.Alamy

Alamy

According to the outlets, the rescue operation included a Mi-8 helicopter and a Khivus hovercraft, which can travel on ice and water.

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The ministry later confirmed on Telegram that helicopters and vessels had successfully brought all 139 stranded people to the shore, per Reuters.

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Some of the fishermen being rescued on Wednesday, Feb. 12.EMERCOM of Russia/Telegram

EMERCOM of Russia/Telegram

The outlet added that while it’s currently unknown why so many fishermen gather in Russia’s Sakhalin region, the Sakhalin winter fishing season starts in early February and lasts until April.

PEOPLE has contacted the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation for comment.

source: people.com