A massive rescue operation is underway in the Gulf of Riga, with helicopters and Navy ships involved. Bad weather conditions and high waves are hampering rescue efforts.
There are some 200 people on an ice floe near Vakarbulli beach and another 39 on one near Majori beach. Initial reports suggested that there were over 500 people on both ice floes.
Latvian sources reported that the rescue operation is nearing completion, with some 200 people saved.
One of the ice floes was washed as far as 4 kilometers away from shore. At one point it could not be reached by rescue boats, so the operation was continued by helicopter.
The situation is reportedly critical, as winds are very strong and the boats involved in the rescue operation are suitable for inland waters, not the sea, State Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Victoria Sembele said, according to TVNET website.
The Latvian Emergency Ministry has once again urged people not to walk on ice.
