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Laurie Chen

Dramatic video footage has emerged of China’s first polar research ship after it crashed into an iceberg at the South Pole.
The collision happened at around 11am Beijing time on Saturday in foggy conditions in western Antarctica’s Amundsen Sea, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Tuesday.


The Xue Long, or Snow Dragon, icebreaking research ship was on its 35th Antarctic expedition when the collision took place. It had been travelling at 3 knots, or about 5.5km/h, at the time.
The force of the collision broke the ship’s mast and left about 250 tonnes of snow and ice piled up on its prow and front deck.
China needs to spell out its Arctic ambitions, to ease suspicions
Photos also showed that blocks of ice had fallen into what appeared to be the ship’s front navigation control room.
China’s Ministry of Natural Resources said no members of the crew were injured, but the sides of the ship had been damaged. The ship’s engines, water tanks, navigation and communications equipment were still operating as normal, it said.
The ministry said it immediately dispatched responders to repair damage to the ship and monitor the safety of the crew on board.

At present, the Xue Long is the only Chinese icebreaker in service, with the Xue Long 2 expected to enter service in 2019.
The vessel was built in 1993 in Ukraine, and was upgraded in 2007 and 2013 to extend its service. It has been used to maintain China’s scientific presence in the Antarctic.
China breaks the Arctic ice with launch of new research vessel Snow Dragon II
The Amundsen Sea has experienced large-scale loss of ice in recent decades, which is believed to be a result of climate change.


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Science

Chinese polar research ship Snow Dragon hits iceberg in Antarctica

The collision happened in foggy conditions in the Amundsen Sea. Photo: Handout

(120629) -- QINGDAO, Jun. 29, 2012 (Xinhua) -- China's icebreaker Xuelong, or "Snow Dragon", stops at the dock in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, June 29, 2012. The vessel is set to kick off the country's fifth Arctic expedition from Qingdao on July 2. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) (zmj)

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Colin O'Brady lugged his supplies on a sled as he skied in bone-chilling temperatures. Photo: AP

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McMurdo Station, a US research centre on the Antarctic coast. Photo: usap.gov

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China

Collision happened in Amundsen Sea, breaking the ship’s mast and leaving 250 tonnes of snow and ice piled up on its prow and front deck


Collision happened in Amundsen Sea, breaking the ship’s mast and leaving 250 tonnes of snow and ice piled up on its prow and front deck.


Antarctica

Chinese polar research ship Snow Dragon hits iceberg in Antarctica

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Collision happened in Amundsen Sea, breaking the ship’s mast and leaving 250 tonnes of snow and ice piled up on its prow and front deck

Collision happened in Amundsen Sea, breaking the ship’s mast and leaving 250 tonnes of snow and ice piled up on its prow and front deck