By SCM Reporter
SEVEN Chinese tourists have been killed after their van plunged through a massive crack in the ice on Siberia’s frozen Lake Baikal.
The group’s UAZ off-road vehicle—a rugged Russian 4×4—was travelling across the world’s deepest lake when it vanished into a terrifying three-meter-wide crevasse.
Rescuers confirmed the vehicle plummeted into the freezing depths, coming to rest on a ledge 18 meters (60ft) below the surface.
Tragically, there were no survivors.
Emergency teams rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised, but the mission has now turned into a grim recovery effort.
Dive teams are being dispatched to the remote site to retrieve the bodies from the submerged wreckage.
Local authorities have warned that while the ice can appear solid, shifting temperatures often create “thermal cracks” that can swallow even heavy vehicles in seconds.
Russian investigators have wasted no time in pointing the finger at local operators. A criminal case has been opened on charges of negligence and “providing services that do not meet safety requirements.”
Detectives are looking into whether the driver ignored safety warnings or took an illegal shortcut across a restricted area of the ice to save time.
The World’s Most Dangerous Mirror
Lake Baikal, located in southern Siberia, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a magnet for “ice-tourism.” During the winter, the lake freezes so thick that it becomes a highway for cars and trucks.
However, it is as deadly as it is beautiful:
Depth: It is the deepest lake on Earth, reaching 1,642\text{m} at its lowest point.
The “Siberian High”: Rapid temperature swings cause the ice to expand and contract violently, creating “pressure ridges” and sudden crevasses like the one that claimed the lives of the seven tourists.
Safety Records: Despite strict government regulations on “ice roads,” unlicensed guides frequently take tourists onto thin ice to capture the perfect Instagram photo, often with fatal consequences.
