Russian Tourist Hovercraft Capsizes on Lake Baikal — Five Dead
Overloaded Sever-750 hovercraft carrying 18 tourists capsized on Siberia's Lake Baikal Tuesday, killing five people as Russian authorities investigate.
An overloaded tourist hovercraft capsized Tuesday on the frozen shores of Lake Baikal in Siberia, killing five people and forcing a major rescue operation to save 13 survivors from the frigid waters.
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The Sever-750 airboat — designed to travel across both ice and water — overturned with 18 people aboard during what was supposed to be a guided tour of the world's deepest freshwater lake, according to Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Rescue crews pulled 13 survivors from Lake Baikal, including a child, while five others were pronounced dead at the scene. One survivor suffered a leg injury and was hospitalized.
According to updated information, there were 18 people on board the hovercraft. Thirteen people, including a child, were rescued. Unfortunately, five people died.
Overcrowding Under Investigation
Russian authorities have launched an investigation into the deadly accident, with early reports suggesting the hovercraft became unstable after moving onto thin ice near the shoreline. Most passengers are believed to be visitors from Moscow.
Investigators are examining whether overcrowding played a role in the disaster. Russian media reported the Sever-750 was built to carry no more than 10 passengers but was transporting 18 people along with heavy equipment at the time it capsized.
Komsomolskaya Pravda reported the captain steered the hovercraft onto ice and jumped into the water shortly before it overturned. A local tour operator told the Russian outlet that the model involved in the crash was poorly suited for Lake Baikal's rough conditions.
The tragedy highlights the dangerous conditions around Lake Baikal, where rapidly changing weather, strong winds, and rough waters pose constant threats to tourism operations. The massive Siberian lake draws thousands of visitors annually despite its remote location and harsh climate.
Russian emergency officials continue investigating what caused the hovercraft to capsize, with findings expected to shed light on safety protocols for tourist operations in one of Siberia's most popular destinations.
