A tragic accident occurred in Russia when a minibus transporting Chinese tourists sank in Lake Baikal on Friday. Seven bodies have been recovered, while one person remains missing. According to various sources, including Reuters, the vehicle was crossing the lake on ice when the ice gave way beneath it, causing the bus to plunge into the water.

The quick actions of a ninth passenger, who managed to escape the bus just before it sank, have been credited with alerting authorities to the disaster. The regional governor of Irkutsk has confirmed that the Chinese embassy has been notified about the incident, indicating the seriousness of the situation, especially regarding the foreign nationals involved. Furthermore, the local prosecutor's office has announced that a criminal investigation is underway following the accident.

Lake Baikal, known as the world’s deepest lake with a maximum depth exceeding 1,600 meters, is a significant geographical feature of Russia. Reports indicate that the minibus sank to about twenty meters depth, raising concerns about the safety protocols for transporting tourists in such challenging conditions. This incident highlights the potential dangers associated with winter travel in remote areas, especially on natural ice.