Tragedy on Lake Baikal: Chinese tourists fall through ice, seven dead
On 20 February at 15:30 near Cape Khoboy on Lake Baikal, nine people in a UAZ vehicle fell through the ice. Rescuers recovered the bodies of seven victims, one tourist managed to escape on his own, and the search for the last individual is ongoing. This tragedy highlights the dangers of traveling on ice, especially given that the ice crossing on Olkhon remains officially closed due to safety concerns.
The vehicle fell into an ice fissure about three meters wide, and the water depth at the accident site is 18 meters. A criminal case has been opened on charges related to providing services not meeting safety standards and negligence. Irkutsk region Governor Igor Kobzev stated that the Chinese Consulate General in Irkutsk has been informed about the incident. It is also worth mentioning that on 28 January, a similar tragedy in the same area claimed the life of a 75-year-old tourist from China.
This incident underscores the critical importance of strict adherence to ice safety regulations and the need for responsible oversight in organizing tourist activities on Lake Baikal. Ongoing investigations aim to clarify all circumstances and causes of the tragedy.
