A car driven by two men broke through the ice on Lake Śniardwy, leading to concerns about safety and environmental impact. The incident occurred approximately 900 meters from the shore near the village of Nowe Guty.
According to reports, the drivers of the dark vehicle were observed driving along the frozen lake when they veered onto weaker ice, known as oparzelina, causing their car to collapse beneath them. Witnesses indicated they saw the car first traveling close to the reeds along the edge of the lake before it traversed out onto the more dangerous, thinner ice.
Stefan Świderski, head of the Mazurska Służba Ratownicza, clarified the situation, stating, "The owner of the car didn’t request our assistance. If he had, he would have had to pay several thousand zlotys for the retrieval operation." This financial consideration has left the stranded vehicle without immediate rescue efforts.
The ice where the vehicle lies is reported to be around 11 cm thick, which is significantly less than the safe threshold and fluctuates across the lake, with depths reaching 20 cm or more at other locations. The substantial risk presented by the fragile ice has deterred rescuers from attempting recovery without proper safety measures. Swiderski mentioned, "It's too risky for our rescuers...the ice is too fragile to secure any equipment needed for the lifting operation, which normally involves anchoring to the ice to retrieve cars trapped beneath."
Remarkably, both the driver and the passenger were able to exit the vehicle on their own and reach safety without any reported injuries. It remains unclear if any hazardous fluids are leaking from the submerged car, creating potential environmental concerns as the lake is not only popular for recreational activities but also home to various wildlife.
Emergency services continue to patrol the area around Lake Śniardwy, where conditions are changing rapidly due to recent fluctuated temperatures. Swiderski highlighted, "The submerged car could stay until the ice melts," indicating it may remain under the ice until the spring thaw. If the vehicle fully sinks, it might only be recoverable after the ice has melted completely, potentially complicate the process. He added, "I recall a similar incident near Ostróda when the car remained under the ice until spring."
Grzegorz Różański from the warmińsko-mazurskiej straży pożarnej (fire service) elaborated on recovery methods, noting, "There are also airbag cushions to help retrieve the car," stressing the cost attached to such operations which will eventually fall to the vehicle's owner.
Driving on ice, especially with the changing temperatures, poses significant risks. Local authorities have not imposed strict regulations on accessing frozen bodies of water, which has contributed to similar dangerous occurrences over past years. Residents and public safety officials urge caution and education on safe practices to prevent these hazardous incidents from repeating.
Lake Śniardwy is the largest lake in Poland, known for its vast, shallow depths and natural beauty. Nevertheless, safety remains the top priority, and local officials are calling for increased awareness about the real dangers posed when winter recreation practices take place under risky conditions.