More than 400 fishermen have been rescued from an ice floe which has broken away from the northwest of Russia.
About 500 fishermen were reported trapped when the ice drifted away from the coast near St Petersburg.
A few dozen anglers are still reported stranded this evening despite the efforts of the rescuers.
Several of those rescued had to leave their cars behind on the floating ice platform in the Gulf of Finland at the rescuers' insistence.
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Some of the fishermen called emergency officials from mobile phones seeking help.
A total of 415 people have been rescued by a helicopter and three tugboats, ITAR-Tass and NTV quoted Emergencies Ministry officials as saying.
Ice fishing is a national past time on Russian lakes and the coast.
AP