The team of rescuers of Russia reported yesterday that 139 fishermen were saved, trapped on ice in the Okhotsk Sea near the Far East. Initially, it was reported about 300 fishermen, however, some of them refused to leave the place without their catch. The ministry published a video recording of the rescue operation, including frames in which fishermen are seen moving away from the rescue boat. Later, the ministry reported via Telegram messenger that the rescue operation involved the use of helicopters and vessels to deliver the fishermen to the shore.
"The exact reason why the fishermen encountered a similar situation is not clear yet," stated the ministry of fisheries. The winter fishing season in Sakhalin region starts at the beginning of February and lasts until April. According to the ministry of fisheries, an ice tongue is observed extending up to 10 meters in length from the Malka River to the mouth of the Dolinka River in the Sakhalin region, which led to the separation of fishermen in the Okhotsk Sea.
Winter months in the Sakhalin region, located in the extreme east of Russia, where the Sakhalin Island and the Administrative Kuril Islands are situated, are characterized by strong sea frost and snow and often last for more than five months.
