Latvian anglers picked from ice floe

Naval helicopter crews have successfully airlifted ashore all 180 or so anglers who found themselves marooned on an ice floe in the Gulf of Riga off the Latvian capital.

All rescued anglers are safe and sound.

To note, women and children have reportedly been stranded together with fishermen atop two blocks of ice that are drifting into the Gulf of Riga off Latvian coast.

Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks, who is overseeing the rescue operation, said the Navy and helicopters have been dispatched to save the people.

“There are whole families drifting atop the ice floes that were just having a stroll [when the ice block broke off], not only fishermen,” Dr. Pabriks said.

“The ice floe is slowly drifting away, but we hope no one will be wounded,” he said, adding the rescue operation could last several hours.