Anglers Rescued From Minnesota Lake as Ice Chunk Detaches in High Wind

At least 35 people were rescued from Minnesota’s Upper Red Lake on Sunday, December 17, after a piece of ice detached from the shore, leaving them drifting into the darkness, the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office said.

Initially there were 40 feet between the detached ice chunk and the ice sheet connected to the lake’s shore, but strong winds during the rescue caused the chunk to drift farther off, according to the sheriff’s office.

This footage by Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources Enforcement Division shows an airboat crossing the ice chunk-filled lake during the rescue.

All people were evacuated safely, according to officials, who said they were anglers. Credit: MN DNR Enforcement via Storyful

Video transcript

[NO SPEECH]