Five dead after all-terrain vehicle sinks in Russia's Transbaikal Region

An all-terrain vehicle carrying nine passengers plunged into a lake in the Kalarsky District of Russia's Transbaikal Region, resulting in the deaths of five people, according to preliminary reports.

The district head, Vladimir Ustyuzhanin, confirmed the tragedy to TASS.

“The all-terrain vehicle fell and sank in the lake. We received a call from the Unified Duty Dispatch Service (UDDS) indicating that four people survived and five drowned, based on preliminary data. I have been in contact with the contractor, Ikabya LLC, and they are now heading to the Kalarsky District,” Ustyuzhanin said.

The press service of the Transbaikal Territory Prosecutor's Office stated that, following media reports of the incident involving geologists in a remote area, an investigation has been launched.

The supervisory authority will examine the circumstances of the accident and evaluate whether the organisation that owns the all-terrain vehicle complied with occupational health, safety, and road safety regulations. Any identified violations will lead to prosecutorial action.

In addition, the prosecutor’s office is monitoring the procedural investigation being conducted by law enforcement agencies to ensure proper handling and reporting of the incident.

By Tamilla Hasanova