Rescuers in south Russia's Rostov Region have saved 20 fisherman who drifted away on an ice floe, an emergency services spokesman told RIA Novosti.

"Twenty fishermen began fishing in the Volgograd Region," the spokesman said. "The ice they were fishing on broke up and they ended up in the Dubov Area of the Rostov Region."

The incident happened on Wednesday. There were no injuries.

Ice-fishing, which involves drilling a hole in the ice, is extremely popular in Russia. The rescue services are often called out to save fisherman who have got into difficulties.

ROSTOV-ON-DON, January 7 (RIA Novosti)