More than 120 fishermen were rescued after becoming stranded on an ice floe that broke off a Minnesota lake Friday night, authorities said.
The fishermen were trapped shortly before 5 p.m. after a large chunk broke off from the main ice on Upper Red Lake, a popular ice fishing destination about 60 miles south of the Canadian border, the Office of the Beltrami County Sheriff.
About 30 feet separated the iceberg from the land. No injuries were reported, but four people fell into the frigid waters during rescue attempts.
“Before emergency responders arrived on scene, bystanders attempted to evacuate via canoe,” Sheriff Jason Riggs said in a statement. “Four people fell into the open sea during this attempt. “They were taken back to the ice floe to warm up in a fishing shelter.”
The four fishermen who fell were pulled from the ice floe around 7:40 pm. About an hour later, officials determined that everyone still on the ice would have to be evacuated.
In total, 122 people were brought to shore, authorities said.
Just a day earlier, the Minnesota Department of National Resources warned the public that “ice conditions across the state have changed noticeably in recent days,” as a result of the unusually warm winter and wet conditions.
More than 120 people were trapped on a loose ice floe in Minnesota on Friday night. KARE 11 No injuries were reported, but four fishermen fell into the icy waters during rescue attempts. KARE 11
Several fish houses and recreational vehicles have fallen through the ice in recent days, authorities said.
“Most years, the ice would already be thick enough for vehicles and bridges, and we would see a steady procession of them heading north,” Riggs said in a public advisory on ice conditions Thursday.
“But this year is not ‘most years’ and the ice is constantly changing,” he added. “It is absolutely vital that anyone going out checks the thickness frequently, pays close attention to the weather and has a plan in case the worst happens and you end up in the water.”
About 30 feet separated the iceberg from the land. No injuries were reported, but four people fell into the frigid waters during rescue attempts. KARE 11 A plane crashed into the ice while trying to land on the lake last week. KARE 11
Red Lake had already seen several ice rescues this winter, KARE reported.
On December 17, 35 fishermen were rescued after becoming stranded on an ice floe.
Two days later, a plane crashed into the ice while landing on the lake. The two occupants, who had planned to fish that day, were brought safely to shore.
Then, on December 21, a father and his son fell on the ice while riding an all-terrain vehicle, according to KARE.
Nearly 200 fishermen were trapped in an iceberg on Upper Red Lake last year. All were removed safely.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn