Those responsible for the deaths of tourists on Lake Baikal may face up to 10 years in prison.

Those responsible for the deaths of tourists who capsized in a boat on Lake Baikal may face up to 10 years in prison or forced labor. Lawyer Vadim Rozhdestvensky informed Izvestia about this on May 19.

He clarified that the punishment would depend on the degree of guilt of each of the defendants.

"According to Part 3 of Article 238 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, the person who directly drove the vehicle, as well as the management of the legal entity that provided the service in the form of a boat trip, will be involved," Rozhdestvensky said.

According to the lawyer, the initiation of a case under this article suggests that the crime could have been committed with direct intent — for example, if someone intentionally violated security requirements.

"It should be noted that all victims of the incident have the right to compensation for property and moral damage, and they have the right to file a civil lawsuit in the framework of a criminal case," Rozhdestvensky added.

More is not better: an airboat with tourists capsized on Lake Baikal

The tragedy occurred at Turtle Rock, several people died.

A boat with 18 passengers on board capsized on Lake Baikal on May 19. Of these, 10 people were saved. Five passengers died. The Ministry of Emergency Situations clarified that the Sever-750 airboat overturned in the area of Turtle Rock. A criminal case has been opened under Part 3 of Article 238 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Provision of services that do not meet the requirements for the safety of life and health of consumers, which negligently caused the death of more than two persons").

According to the East Siberian Transport Prosecutor's Office, the boat that was sailing along the coast belongs to the tour operator Kristalny Baikal. According to its price list, the cost of excursions to the lake for one passenger reaches 16.5 thousand rubles. As a source told Izvestia, the head of the company, Maria, was a candidate for the post of Minister of Tourism of Buryatia, and her husband is the head of the administration of the Turkinskoye municipality in the region.