A Chinese icebreaker is closing in on a Russian ship that has been locked in Antarctic ice since Tuesday, with officials saying the Chinese ship is likely to reach the trapped vessel on Saturday.
The Australian Maritime Authority, which is coordinating the rescue, said earlier the Chinese Snow Dragon should reach the Russian ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy by Friday evening.
An Australian research expedition team is on board the Russian ship, which became frozen in an ice flow close to the South Pole on Tuesday. In a video posted on Twitter, members of the team said they can see the Snow Dragon on the horizon.
Two other icebreakers are headed to the site.
The Russian ship is carrying 75 people, including crew, scientists and tourists. Officials have said the ship is not in danger of sinking.
The ship, which left New Zealand on November 28, was aiming to recreate Australian explorer Douglas Mawson's century-old voyage to Antarctica.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.