A Car Carrying Tourists Fell Through the Ice on Lake Baikal

Seven People Presumed Dead, According to Preliminary Reports

In Russia’s Irkutsk region, a UAZ vehicle carrying tourists from China fell through the ice on Lake Baikal. The incident was reported on February 20 by the news agency Interfax. The tragedy occurred near Cape Khoboy on Olkhon Island, one of the most visited winter destinations in the area.

There were seven tourists and one driver in the vehicle. One person was pulled from the water, and his condition is being clarified. The fate of the others remains unknown as search and rescue operations continue.

Emergency responders from the Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) and local rescue teams are involved in the operation. Efforts are complicated by weather conditions and the current state of the ice. During winter, official ice crossings are established on Lake Baikal, but traveling outside designated routes can pose serious risks.

The Olkhon District Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation. Authorities are determining whether safety requirements were followed in organizing the trip and are examining the circumstances under which the vehicle was driven onto the ice. A legal assessment will be made based on the findings.