Fourteen children die in boat trip tragedy in Russia

The boat capsized in stormy weather conditions on Lake Syamozero, killing at least 14 children.

Fourteen children, aged between 12 and 15, have lost their life during a boat trip in northwest Russia, near the border with Finland, on Saturday, 18 June.

The victims were part of a group of around 47 kids and four adults who went on a boating trip to Lake Syamozero, a popular tourist destination in the country’s Karelia region.

Their boat was hit by the stormy weather and capsized, claiming the life of at least 14 children, many of whom are thought to have died due to hypothermia.

Some of the 37 survivors managed to swim to an island on the lake, whilst others reached a nearby village and some were found washed ashore.

The party were on holiday from Moscow and were staying at a nearby summer camp.

A police spokesperson told Russia’s tabloid Life News that a 12-year-old girl named Yulia raised the alarm on Sunday morning after safely reaching the nearby village of Kudama.

The girl stated that the group were on two boats and a raft.

Rescue craft and helicopters were dispatched to the scene.
Mayor Sergei Sobyanin sent doctors and psychologists to attend to the survivors.

Four adults have been taken into custody for questioning, as it is thought the children were not wearing life jackets at the time of the accident.

Local officials had issued warnings of impending bad weather as a cyclone was approaching from the Atlantic.