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Minibus Plunges into Lake Baikal, Killing Eight
Accident Involving Chinese Tourists and Guide Sparks Safety Concerns Amid Visa-Free Tourism SurgeBy Jeong Chae-bin
Published 2026.02.23. 14:52Updated 2026.02.23. 23:39
On the 20th, local time, a view of a bus submerged in frozen Lake Baikal. /Reuters-Yonhap
An accident occurred in Russia’s Lake Baikal, known as the world’s deepest lake by depth, in which a minibus plunged into the water, killing eight people, including Chinese tourists and a guide.
According to AP News, BBC, and others on the 22nd, local time, the accident happened on the 20th in the Olkhon area near Cape Khoboy on Lake Baikal, amid a surge in Chinese tourists visiting the lake following the recent introduction of a visa-free tourism policy between the two countries. The minibus, which had been driving on the ice, fell into an ice hole approximately 3 meters in diameter and sank to a depth of around 18 meters.
On the 20th, local time, the site of a minibus sinking accident. /TASS-Yonhap
There were nine passengers in the vehicle at the time of the accident. Among them, one local guide and seven Chinese tourists, including a 14-year-old teenager, died. One Chinese tourist survived by escaping just before the vehicle sank.
A source from the Irkutsk tourism authorities stated that the bus tour was operated by an unregistered business. Reports indicate that Russian authorities open specific sections of Lake Baikal during winter to certain vehicles but prohibit access to other areas. The accident is believed to have occurred due to a failure to follow these safety regulations.
Commenting on the incident, Igor Kobzev, the governor of Russia’s Irkutsk region, said, “Traveling on the ice of Lake Baikal is not only currently prohibited but also a life-threatening act,” and expressed deep condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, stated, “A thorough investigation into this accident is underway,” and added, “We hope this incident will not negatively impact the flow of tourism between the two countries.”
