The long-awaited rescue of 52 passengers on board a research ship trapped in Antarctic ice since Christmas Eve has started.

The long-awaited helicopter rescue of passengers on board a research ship trapped in Antarctic ice for more than a week has finally begun.

Passengers on board a research ship trapped in Antarctic ice for a week are pinning their hopes on a helicopter rescue after three icebreakers failed to reach the paralysed vessel.

A Chinese icebreaker trying to rescue a ship trapped in Antarctic ice was forced to turn back after being unable to push its way through the heavy sea ice.