Seven Chinese tourists drown after car falls through ice in Russia
Ice does not always cover Baikal, illustration photo
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Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
21/02/2026 – 14:46 GMT+1
The car went underwater after hitting a patch of thin ice. Seven Chinese tourists, including a couple with a 14-year-old boy, have died.
Seven people died in Russia on Saturday after a car fell through the ice at Lake Baikal, in the Serbian region. They were all tourists from China.
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According to local media, the car was travelling on ice outside an official ice crossing. There was a crack in an area with thin ice, causing the car to fall through and go underwater at a depth of about 18 metres.
Only one tourist managed to get out, he has already given evidence to investigators. The driver and seven tourists died, including a couple with a 14-year-old child.
Divers are working at the scene of the tragedy. It is reported that the bodies of all victims have been localised.
A criminal investigation has been opened over the incident based on the article on the provision of services that do not meet safety requirements.
In winter, Lake Baikal becomes a popular tourist destination: excursions and car routes are organised on the ice. However, ice thickness can change dramatically due to wind, currents and temperature differences.
