Seven Chinese tourists drown after car falls through ice in Russia
Euronews.com • • world
Key Points:
- Eight people, including seven Chinese tourists and the driver, died when their UAZ vehicle fell through thin ice on Lake Baikal near Olkhon Island; only one tourist survived and has provided testimony to investigators.
- The accident occurred outside an official ice crossing where a crack and thin ice caused the car to plunge to a depth of about 18 meters.
- Divers have recovered the bodies of all victims, and a criminal case has been launched for providing unsafe services resulting in fatalities.
- Lake Baikal is a popular winter tourist destination with ice excursions and car routes, but ice thickness can vary significantly due to environmental factors and warming winters, increasing risks.
