At least five tourists from the Moscow region drowned Tuesday after the hovercraft they were on capsized on eastern Siberia’s Lake Baikal.
Emergency officials told state media that at least 18 tourists were on board the airboat, equipped with large aircraft-style propellers, when it tipped over near Turtle Rock on the eastern shore of Lake Baikal.
Thirteen people, including one minor, were rescued, according to Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry. Officials in Siberia’s republic of Buryatia told RIA Novosti that rescue teams recovered five bodies.
Emergency service sources told TASS that the hovercraft was in good working condition before it capsized. The vehicle was believed to have been heavily overloaded beyond its passenger capacity at the time of the accident.
The Investigative Committee, Russia’s top investigative body, said it launched a criminal probe into safety violations resulting in death.
Lake Baikal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, freezes over between January and April, featuring exceptionally clear and thick ice that attracts visitors from all over the world. Ice roads on the lake typically operate during the high season between February and March, when the ice becomes thick enough to support heavy vehicles.
In January and February, several Chinese tourists drowned while crossing Lake Baikal in vans.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
