All passengers rescued from ice-bound Antarctic ship

Rescuers in Antarctica have safely freed all 52 passengers stranded on the ice-bound research vessel Akademik Shokalskiy.

The Australian rescue operators said the scientists and tourists were all rescued and transferred to another ship Aurora Australis.

According to the BBC, they were flown there in groups by a helicopter from a Chinese ice-breaker.

The Shokalskiy has been trapped since 24 December. Its 22 crew are expected to remain on board until the vessel is free.