An Argentine icebreaker has rescued five American scientists who were stranded in an island off the northeast tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Argentina's Foreign Ministry says the five scientists conducting research at Joinville Island were airlifted by helicopter Sunday to the Almirante Irizar icebreaker.

The ministry said that the U.S. icebreaker Laurence M. Gould was unable to carry out the evacuation because the ice barrier was too dense on the Weddell Sea and that the U.S. Antarctic Program then requested assistance from Argentina.

Argentina's armed forces said in a statement that the scientists are in good health and that they will be transferred to the U.S. vessel when weather conditions improve.

The island is south of the Argentine mainland.