After more than a week, 52 passengers stuck aboard a research ship in the Antarctic have been rescued.
"It's taken 11 days, three ships and this aircraft to reach the scientists, tourists and crew stuck aboard the Russian ship."
"The first of the helicopters to take us home!"
"Thanks everyone!" (Via BBC)
The crew will stay with the ship until the ice breaks up on its own, but others were flown out by helicopter to a Chinese icebreaker ship. The passengers had been stuck since Christmas Eve, though they had plenty of food, water and supplies.
"Spirits on board have remained high despite weather conditions repeatedly hampering the operation." (Via ITV)
"We just spoke to the captain. He said that everybody is happy, they're thankful, they're onto their second dinner already. Just pleased to be with one another." (Via CNN)
That positivity remained through predicament, and the story went viral thanks to the group's updates on social media.
"The wind's picked up, but we've been in contact with the Aurora and it's making an attempt to reach us." (Via Vine)
They were even interviewed on CNN on New Year's Eve. (Via Vine)
The ship was reportedly stuck in ice several feet thick.
