Seven Chinese tourists and a bus driver are feared dead after a tourist vehicle plunged into the icy waters of Lake Baikal in Russia’s Siberia, regional authorities said on Friday.

The accident occurred when the bus was travelling across a frozen stretch of the lake and the ice broke beneath it, sending the vehicle into the water.

Igor Kobzev, governor of the Irkutsk region, said via Telegram that one passenger managed to escape, while rescue teams continue to search for the missing.

Rescue Operation Faces Challenges

Emergency services have been deployed to the site as efforts continue to locate those unaccounted for. Harsh weather conditions and the depth of Lake Baikal are complicating the rescue operation.

Authorities have yet to confirm the number of fatalities, but fears are mounting that those still missing may not have survived.

Criminal Case Opened

The Irkutsk regional prosecutor’s office said a criminal case has been opened to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Officials are expected to examine whether safety regulations were followed, as crossing frozen lakes can be highly dangerous, particularly when ice conditions are unstable.

Tourism Rise Amid Risks

The incident comes amid a rise in Chinese tourism to Russia, fuelled by closer political ties and a “no limits” strategic partnership between the two countries.

A mutual visa-free travel arrangement has further boosted visitor numbers, with Lake Baikal emerging as a popular winter destination.

Located north of Mongolia, Lake Baikal is the world’s deepest lake and a major tourist attraction, though its frozen surface poses significant risks during winter travel.

(with inputs from Reuters)