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Tragedy strikes as bus breaks through Baikal ice
Russian rescue teams have retrieved the bodies of seven Chinese tourists and their Russian driver after their minibus crashed through Lake Baikal's ice on Friday, officials confirmed.
Governor confirms fatalities and lone survivor
Irkutsk regional Governor Igor Kobzev expressed "deepest condolences" to the victims' families. He earlier reported that one Chinese tourist escaped the sinking vehicle. The group included a 14-year-old child, all of whom had traveled independently rather than with licensed tour operators.
Rescue operation details
The accident occurred at a depth of 18 meters (59 feet). Divers relied on underwater cameras to locate the bodies in the frigid waters of the world's deepest lake, which reaches a maximum depth of 1,642 meters (5,387 feet).
The minibus broke through a three-meter-wide ice fissure, according to Kobzev's Telegram post.
Repeated warnings ignored
"Going onto Lake Baikal's ice is not just prohibited right now-it's mortally dangerous," Kobzev emphasized, urging tourists to use only official tour providers. Despite the tragedy, six people were rescued from their cars in two separate incidents on Friday and Saturday, he added.
Investigation launched amid recurring accidents
Authorities have opened a criminal inquiry into the cause of the accident. Lake Baikal, a popular but hazardous winter destination, has seen multiple fatal incidents in recent years. In late January, a Chinese tourist died when a car overturned on the frozen lake surface.
