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However, according to Marie Lannborn Barker, CEO of the tour operator Polarquest, reports indicate that no one was physically injured.

The expedition aboard the M/S Ocean Nova was headed toward the South Shetland Islands, an archipelago just north of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Barker stated: “We can confirm that on King George Island, due to the sudden shift in weather, passengers, guides and the ship’s doctor were unable to safely return to the vessel using rubber boats after disembarking.”

She added that although she could not give an exact duration, people were stranded on land for between half an hour and a full day: “We always carry emergency equipment, and they also received supplies, hot coffee and additional gear from the ship. The weather improved, and guests are now being brought back on board.”

Polarquest is a Swedish company, and according to Barker, most of the passengers are Swedish citizens.

One of the travelers, Swedish author Christina Larsson, who remained stranded for more than a day, said: “The expedition leader decided almost immediately to evacuate, but by then it was too late. The wind had intensified, and the waves were high and strong. We had aluminum blankets, but not enough for everyone, so we wore garbage bags.”

Author Christina Larsson had joined the three-week Antarctic expedition to celebrate her 60th birthday.