The organizer of a Lake Baikal tour that killed eight people has been arrested.

He has been charged with "Providing services that do not meet safety requirements, resulting in the death of two or more persons through negligence." He will remain in pretrial detention until at least April 20.

Investigators say the 35-year-old resident of the Irkutsk village Khuzhir He effectively acted as the organizer and coordinator of the illegal transportation of tourists. His involvement is confirmed by telephone conversations, correspondence, and large money transfers.

The tragedy occurred on the ice Baikal On the afternoon of February 20, the driver of a UAZ vehicle was transporting a group of eight Chinese tourists when the vehicle fell into an ice crevasse and sank. Only one passenger was saved.

Excursions and tours on the ice of Lake Baikal are a popular winter activity. However, you can't travel everywhere. For example, the ferry OlkhonThe hospital where people died was scheduled to reopen a week ago. But that hasn't happened yet, as the risk is high—fair temperatures were forecast to be above zero. 

Video: Irkutsk Region Prosecutor's Office