Russian rescue teams have recovered the bodies of seven Chinese tourists and their driver from Lake Baikal, following an accident on 20/2. The victims were aboard a bus that plunged through a 3-meter wide crack in the frozen lake, sinking to a depth of 18 meters. One tourist managed to escape before the vehicle fully submerged, according to Igor Kobzev, Governor of Irkutsk province, Siberia, who confirmed the details on 21/2. Divers and underwater cameras were deployed in the recovery operation.

The regional prosecutor's office has launched a criminal investigation into the incident. Reports indicate that the tour was operated by an unlicensed travel agency.

Rescue teams search for victims on Lake Baikal. *Photo: Reuters*

Lake Baikal, recognized as the world's deepest freshwater lake at over 1,600 meters, is a major tourist attraction in Russia. The region has seen a significant increase in Chinese visitors in recent years, largely due to a bilateral visa-free agreement between Moscow and Beijing.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov extended condolences to his Chinese counterpart, as stated in an online announcement posted on the Ministry's website on 21/2.