Ice under bridges on Daugava River is dangerous - Riga Municipal Police

RIGA - Although the prolonged frost has allowed a thick layer of ice to form on the river, Riga Municipal Police warns that the ice on the Daugava River under bridges in the city center is fragile and dangerous, Ieva Lukaza-Apalupa, Riga Municipal Police chief communications officer, told LETA.

The strong current in these areas results in uneven ice thickness, which can cause ice slides. If people fall through ice in such a place, they can be trapped under the ice in an instant without being able to escape, so walking on the ice under the bridges is strictly forbidden, police stress.

Observations by the municipal police show that people often tend to walk on the ice in large groups, which significantly increases the risk that the ice may not support the load and break.

The police urge people to observe safety requirements and to choose only authorized areas for recreation on the ice.

As reported earlier, in Riga the ban on walking on ice has been lifted in different sections of the Daugava River. However, it is still forbidden to be on the ice within 50 meters of bridges and overpasses.