Russian authorities have confirmed that divers recovered the bodies of seven Chinese tourists and a Russian driver after their mini-bus plunged through the ice into Lake Baikal in Siberia.
According to Irkutsk regional Governor Igor Kobzev, one Chinese tourist managed to escape the vehicle following Friday’s accident.
Vehicle fell into ice fissure
Officials stated that the mini-bus drove into a three-metre-wide ice fissure, causing it to sink to a depth of approximately 18 metres. Divers deployed underwater cameras to locate and retrieve the victims.
Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest freshwater lake with a maximum depth of 1,642 metres, is a popular winter tourist destination. During harsh Siberian winters, its surface freezes, attracting visitors despite the associated risks.
Governor Kobzev expressed his “deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims” and warned that venturing onto the ice outside authorised routes is “mortally dangerous”.
Independent travel under scrutiny
Authorities noted that the Chinese tourists, including a 14-year-old child, were travelling independently rather than through an official tour operator.
A criminal investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances and responsibility for the tragedy.
The governor later revealed that six additional individuals were rescued from vehicles trapped on the ice in separate incidents over the weekend, highlighting ongoing safety concerns.
In late January, another Chinese tourist died after a vehicle overturned on the frozen surface of Lake Baikal, underscoring the repeated dangers posed by winter travel across the lake.