All 52 tourists and scientists on board a Russian research ship stuck in the Antarctic have now been rescued.

A Chinese helicopter picked them up from the stricken Akademik Shokalskiy, which had been blocked by ice since Christmas Eve.

The passengers were being transferred to an Australian supply ship, while the 22-strong Russian crew are expected to remain on board the vessel.

All are believed to be in good condition.

The evacuation was finally able to happen after blizzards, fog and shifting sea ice had hampered earlier evacuation attempts.

The scientists from countries including Australia,
and Britain were taking part in an expedition marking the centenary of an Antarctic journey by Australian explorer Douglas Mawson.