Attention! "Thin ice!"

March 12, 2026

It is under this title that from March 10 to March 16, a special preventive event of the Ministry of Emergency Situations will be held in the Vitebsk region. To warn people about the danger of going out on the ice during the spring thaw, employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, together with representatives of OSVOD and other interested parties, will conduct raid activities in the most popular ice fishing spots. Information and explanatory work will also be carried out in labor collectives and educational institutions of the region.

It is under this title that from March 10 to March 16, a special preventive event of the Ministry of Emergency Situations will be held in the Vitebsk region. To warn people about the danger of going out on the ice during the spring thaw, employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, together with representatives of OSVOD and other interested parties, will conduct raid activities in the most popular ice fishing spots. Information and explanatory work will also be carried out in labor collectives and educational institutions of the region.
The established positive temperatures contribute to the active melting and destruction of ice on the water bodies of the region. And this, in turn, increases the potential risks of accidents on the water. In the period from March 7 to March 9, 2025 alone, 15 people drowned in the republic, including 1 child.
As a rule, children and fishermen are at risk. It should be remembered that if the ice thickness is less than 7 centimeters, going out on it is prohibited! The thickness of the ice cover is measured by OSVOD employees, with further placement of information on the official websites of city or district executive committees.
Dear citizens, the Ministry of Emergency Situations reminds you:
– when going out on the ice, including for fishing, you must wear a life jacket;
– do not forget to take "ice picks" with you: a rescue line and ice spikes;
– do not go fishing alone and to a deserted place, otherwise no one will help you if necessary. Inform your loved ones about your whereabouts and estimated return time;
– do not allow children to play near water bodies and explain to them the danger of going out on the ice.
Do not allow carelessness in safety matters!