British research ship crosses paths with world’s largest iceberg in Antarctic

The RRS Sir David Attenborough passed close to the gigantic iceberg (Andrew Meijers/British Antarctic Survey via AP)

Britain’s polar research ship has crossed paths with the largest iceberg in the world – an encounter that enabled scientists to collect seawater samples around the colossal berg as it drifts out of Antarctic waters, officials said.

The RRS Sir David Attenborough, which is on its way to Antarctica for its first scientific mission, passed the mega iceberg known as the A23a on Friday near the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.