Irkutsk: At least seven Chinese tourists lost their lives in Russia’s Siberian region of Irkutsk when their car plunged through the ice at Lake Baikal, as announced by local authorities.

According to Anadolu Agency, the regional branch of Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry shared via the social media platform VKontakte that personnel were actively working at the incident site, located near Cape Khoboy in the Olkhonsky district. The car reportedly sank into a three-meter-wide opening, with the lake’s depth at the site measured at 18 meters.

The ministry’s statement noted that rescuers conducted an underwater camera survey, successfully recovering the bodies of the seven victims. Plans for further diving operations were also mentioned.

Earlier reports from Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev on Telegram indicated that one tourist managed to escape, according to eyewitness accounts. Efforts are ongoing to determine the whereabouts of the remaining passengers and the car’s driver.

Governor Kobzev also stated that Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched a criminal investigation into the incident. He emphasized that the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Irkutsk was informed and reiterated that the ice crossing to Olkhon Island remains closed, with driving on the ice being strictly prohibited.

The state-run Xinhua news agency, referencing Beijing’s diplomatic mission in Irkutsk, confirmed the drowning of seven Chinese tourists in the event.