IRKUTSK, February 26. /TASS/. The bodies of seven Chinese tourists who died on February 20 on Lake Baikal have been handed over to their relatives, regional law enforcement authorities told TASS.
"The bodies of the deceased tourists have been transferred to their relatives, who will decide on further arrangements [for burial]," the agency’s source said, adding that all seven victims have been handed over.
On February 20, a UAZ vehicle broke through the ice near Cape Khoboy on Olkhon Island. As a result, the driver and seven tourists from China were killed. One other tourist survived.
Authorities have opened a criminal investigation under Part 3 of Article 238 of the Russian Criminal Code (providing services that fail to meet safety standards and result in the death of two or more people through negligence) and Part 3 of Article 293 (negligence). A local resident identified as the trip organizer has been taken into custody under Article 238.
A ban on driving on the ice remains in effect on Lake Baikal due to warm weather. The official ice road to Olkhon Island remains closed.
.