Tourists are facing difficulties on Olkhon Island, located in Russia's Lake Baikal, as reports indicate that around 250 foreign visitors are among those stranded due to unsafe ice conditions. Igor Kobzevas, the governor of the Irkutsk region, confirmed that the supply of food and medicine is sufficient for the stranded individuals, and arrangements have been made with retail locations and pharmacies to assist them. Normally, ice roads in the region are open during the peak months of February and March, but current assessments reveal that much of the ice is not thick enough to support safe vehicle travel.

Geological changes have rendered the traditional route from the mainland to the island unsafe, with dangerous fissures measuring up to 10 meters found along the path. The situation has been compounded after a tragic accident near the Choboy Peninsula on February 20, when a vehicle fell through the ice, resulting in the deaths of the driver and seven Chinese tourists, while one individual managed to escape. This incident has raised alarms about the safety protocols in place for guiding tourists and the risks associated with winter travel on frozen lakes in the area.

As the situation develops, authorities continue to assess the conditions while ensuring that those stranded have access to essential services. The incident underscores the potential dangers of winter tourism in regions like Lake Baikal, highlighting the need for strict safety measures and real-time monitoring of ice conditions to prevent similar tragedies in the future.