Swiss tourist trapped on ice in Russia's Arctic

KRASNOYARSK, March 10 (RIA Novosti) - A Swiss tourist attempting a solo ski to the North Pole has got trapped on ice in the Russian Arctic, the local emergency situations department said Friday.

Rescuers said Tomas Ulrich might have to be urgently evacuated but the rescue efforts would be complicated by severe southern gales, which could crash Ulrich's ice floe against others. However, the local emergencies department said the situation was under control.

Ulrich, 40, set off on his trip from the Arctic Cape in Russia's Far North on March 7. He originally planned to travel with his fellow Swiss George Bauman, but the latter changed his mind on the day before the start and returned home.

Ulrich has enough food and fuel for his portable stove to last him 100 days. He also has an inflatable boat and a satellite phone.