Social media released a clip showing a tourist minibus that crashed into the icy Lake Baikal and sank completely, resulting in at least eight deaths and only one miraculous survivor, prompting Russia to tighten control over illegal tours.
A social media video captured the moment a tourist minibus sank into the icy waters of Lake Baikal after illegally driving off the designated route onto thinning ice, causing the vehicle to fall through and quickly sink. Bystanders tried frantically to help, but the entire minibus submerged rapidly.
Chinese local media reported the vehicle drove across the lake’s ice surface but not on the officially designated ice route, before the ice cracked and the minibus sank approximately 18 meters deep. Seven passengers and the driver died at the scene, while one Chinese tourist managed to escape by climbing out and survived. Among the deceased were a 12-year-old girl and her parents, along with women aged 28, 31, and 40. After the incident, rescue teams used underwater cameras before sending divers to recover the bodies.
Meanwhile, investigators have launched a criminal case to determine the cause of the tragedy. Initial findings suggest the transport provider might not have been officially registered, which could have contributed to the incident. Russian authorities are accelerating efforts to crack down on illegal tour operators to prevent recurrence.
Lake Baikal, located in Siberia, is the world's deepest freshwater lake and a popular tourist destination, especially in winter when its surface freezes. However, Russian officials consistently warn that ice conditions can be uneven and unsafe if driving outside government-approved routes.
. Source:Daily Mail
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