Divers have recovered the bodies of seven Chinese tourists and their Russian driver from the bottom of Siberia's Lake Baikal. The mini-bus plunged under the ice to a depth of 18 meters on Friday.
One Chinese tourist reportedly managed to escape the vehicle. Governor Igor Kobzev expressed condolences and emphasized the extreme danger of venturing onto the frozen lake, especially outside official tours. The victims, including a 14-year-old, had traveled independently. A criminal investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing. Officials noted that despite recent tragedies, other individuals were rescued from perilous situations on the ice shortly after this incident.