A tragic incident occurred on Lake Baikal when a bus transporting Chinese tourists fell through the ice, leading to the deaths of eight individuals, including the bus driver. This serious accident took place in the Irkutsk region, where the lake is located, and reports indicate that only one tourist managed to escape from the submerged vehicle. Russian emergency services utilized underwater cameras to assist with rescue operations in the frigid waters, revealing that the lake reaches depths of 18 meters at the accident site.

The Irkutsk regional governor, Igor Kobzev, shared details of the unfortunate event on Telegram, confirming the fatalities and the efforts of local authorities. The incident has prompted the Irkutsk regional prosecutor's office to launch a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, particularly as it has been disclosed that the trip was organized by an unregistered tour operator. This raises concerns about safety standards in tourism operations in the region.

Lake Baikal, known as the deepest freshwater lake in the world, has seen a significant increase in Chinese tourism following the introduction of a mutual visa-free regime between Moscow and Beijing in recent years. This incident highlights the potential dangers associated with winter travel on the lake, especially when operated by unlicensed companies, prompting calls for stricter regulations to protect tourists in the future.