Eight people including three small children died in Russia when trees crashed into a lakeside campsite during a storm described as a "hurricane," authorities said on Sunday.
Several hundred people camped in a national park in Mari El, a Russian region located along the northern bank of the Volga River, when the storm struck on Saturday.
The Investigative Committee, which probes serious crimes, said in a statement that the bodies of seven people including three small children were found following what it called a "hurricane," after debris was cleared at the campsite overnight.
Another person died in a hospital, the statement said.
In a separate statement, the emergencies ministry said that 29 people were injured and 16 hospitalized.
"Vacationers did not take into account the weather forecast," the ministry said on messaging app Telegram.
The campsite was located on the shores of Lake Yalchik in the Mari Chodra national park, and the Investigative Committee said a criminal probe was launched over the provision of services that do not meet safety requirements.
Overall, 10 people died and 76 were injured in the Privolzhsk federal district which includes the region of Mari El, the emergencies ministry said.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.