Eight Chinese tourists were killed when a tour bus sank after breaking through the ice on Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia. The regional branch of Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed the incident, which occurred on Friday, February 20. According to Igor Kobzev, one Chinese tourist managed to escape from the bus and survive. The victims included seven Chinese tourists and the bus driver. The Chinese Consulate General has been informed of the tragedy.

Officials said the bus fell into a three-meter-wide crack in the ice and sank into the lake. Rescue teams later used underwater cameras to recover seven bodies. The regional prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the incident.

Lake Baikal, known as the world’s deepest freshwater lake, is a major tourist destination in Siberia, especially popular among Chinese visitors. Authorities maintain designated ice roads during winter, allowing specific vehicles to cross under supervision, while driving outside approved routes is officially prohibited. The number of Chinese tourists visiting the lake has increased in recent years due to a visa-free travel arrangement between Moscow and Beijing.