"Global warming Curse" - Now the Chinese icebreaker stuck in ice after Akademik Shokalskiy rescue.

"Global warming Curse" - Now the Chinese icebreaker stuck in ice after Akademik Shokalskiy rescue.(CBC).

A Chinese icebreaker that went to the aid of passengers on ship stranded in Antarctica has found itself stuck in heavy ice, further complicating the nine-day roller-coaster rescue mission.

The Akademik Shokalskiy had been retracing Sir Douglas Mawson's Antarctic expedition and conducting scientific research before sea ice stopped it in its tracks.

The 52 scientists and tourists on board the Russian ship were airlifted to safety by a Chinese helicopter on Thursday, after becoming stuck on Christmas Eve.

The Chinese icebreaker Xue Long, shown in Shanghai, will attempt to manoeuvre through the ice when tidal conditions are best, during the early hours of Saturday. (The Associated Press)

The helicopter was flown off the icebreaker Xue Long (Snow Dragon), which has now flagged concerns about its own ability to move through heavy ice.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) says the icebreaker will attempt to move overnight.
"It will attempt to manoeuvre through the ice when tidal conditions are most suitable during the early hours of 4 January 2014," AMSA said.
The 52 rescued passengers were flown to the Australian icebreaker Aurora Australis in an operation that took more than four hours.Read the full story here.