BUENOS AIRES, Feb 18: All passengers aboard a Bahamas-flagged cruise ship stuck in the ice in Antarctica, Ocean Nova, were to be evacuated on Wednesday after spending the night stranded, the Argentine navy said.

The passengers were to transfer to another passenger liner run by the same US company, Quark Expeditions, and taken to the southern Argentine city of Ushuaia, it said in a statement.

The navy said Ocean Nova was carrying 74 passengers and 30 crew members. But Quark Expeditions put the numbers at 65 passengers and 41crew.

Ocean Nova became immobilized on Tuesday close to the Argentine research base San Martin on Millerand Island in Marguerite Bay, on the western side of the Antarctic peninsula reaching towards South America.

It was believed either the low tide or icebergs caused it to become stuck.

A Spanish oceanographic ship and the sister cruise ship, Clipper Adventurer, went to the scene to give assistance.

Argentine officials said those on board the passenger ship were in “no danger.” Quark Expeditions said the passengers had a “good night’s sleep” and were being looked after.

“All aboard continue to be safe and there is still no sign of leakage of any kind. Quark does not anticipate any environmental impact,” the company said in a statement.

It said high winds had prevented two attempts by the crew of Ocean Nova to free the ship at high tide. Another attempt would be made later Wednesday.

If that last attempt failed, “then all passengers will be transferred to Clipper Adventurer for the return to Ushuaia,” it said. —AFP

Opinion

Editorial

Maintaining balance
Updated 16 Feb, 2025

Maintaining balance

It must take a more proactive approach to establishing Pakistan’s bona fides.
Welcome return
16 Feb, 2025

Welcome return

IT is almost here; the moment Pakistan has long been waiting for — the first International Cricket Council...
Childhood trauma
16 Feb, 2025

Childhood trauma

BEING a child in this society should not be so hard. But recurrent reports of child abuse — from burying girl...
The Peca problem
Updated 15 Feb, 2025

The Peca problem

The fight for fundamental freedoms is not the media’s alone, but one that concerns every citizen.
Miners in danger
15 Feb, 2025

Miners in danger

YESTERDAY’S devastating terrorist attack in Harnai, which killed at least 11 coal miners and injured seven others,...
Solar panels scam
15 Feb, 2025

Solar panels scam

THE scam involving over-invoicing to the tune of more than Rs69bn in the import of solar panels raises many ...