The source described recent weather reports as “inaccurate” after ship operators were told the route was only covered with “light” snow.
Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, was also quoted by Neftegaz, saying the early ice formation was caused by wildfires in Siberia, which he claimed have cooled temperatures in the Arctic in a bizarre one-off event.
He also said ice had formed along the route two weeks earlier than predicted for the first time in seven years.
The Neftegaz report indicates that of the 24 trapped ships, eight have already been cleared and sent on their way as of Friday, leaving another 16 to be rescued.
Among the trapped vessels are said to be cargo ships and two oil tankers.
source: express.co.uk