In winter, the ice on Emajõgi is thick. In some places, the ice is 30 cm thick. People walk on the ice. Warmer weather makes the ice dangerous. The Rescue Board says: do not go on the ice.
The banks of Emajõgi are dangerous. In some places, the ice is thick, but in others, it is thin. There may be water under the ice. If the ice breaks, the current can pull a person under. The Rescue Board cannot rescue quickly.
A Rescue Board worker fell through the ice on Wednesday. He had safety equipment, but the current pulled him. He said it was difficult to get out of the water. The areas with currents on Emajõgi are very dangerous.
The Environment Agency measures the thickness of the ice. In Kvissental, the ice is 27 cm thick, in the city center 35 cm. Worker Tanel Toots says that the areas around bridges and piers are dangerous. People must check themselves whether the ice is safe.
Tartu Deputy Mayor Priit Humal says that the city is monitoring the ice conditions. Warning signs will be put up on Thursday. Currently, going on the ice is not prohibited. If conditions worsen, a ban may be considered.
Toots says that if the ice melts, it becomes dangerous quickly. In a few days, the ice may completely disappear. This should be kept in mind.