In a shocking incident, a tour group exploring Moscow’s underground sewers has been tragically swept away, with at least eight individuals feared dead.
The group had embarked on a guided walking tour of the Russian capital’s subterranean tunnels, but their adventure turned into a nightmare as torrential rain transformed the sewers into a powerful and dangerous stream.
Desperate Search Underway for Victims
As the rain poured down, the underground sewers transformed into a torrent, creating a devastating cascade that surged through the tunnels.
The incident has sparked a desperate search for the eight individuals caught in the tragic event.
Among the victims identified so far are Gleb Lagashin, 17, his girlfriend Viktoria Schneider, 15, and his cousin Elizaveta Markushina, 15.
Additionally, a schoolgirl, aged 15, was washed through an overflow into the Moscow River, where she was discovered with a lacerated head wound.
Authorities and Families Alike Struggle to Cope
Russian authorities are now working tirelessly to locate and recover the missing victims, including Dmitry Markushkin, 47, a public relations chief for the Russian IT company Lanit, who was related to Gleb and Elizaveta.
The tragedy has left a sense of shock and sorrow, and a source from Russian news agency TASS reported that the group was on an underground tour during heavy rain.
Communication with the group was lost after the sudden downpour, and families of the missing turned to the police for assistance.
Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Investigations
The tour group was accompanied by a specialist guide, Konstantin Filipov, 31, who is still missing.
His last message expressed urgency in leaving the sewers due to the emergency caused by the heavy rain.
There are questions surrounding why the tour took place despite the rule against tours in rainy conditions, as well as concerns about the presence of minors on the trip.
As authorities work to uncover the truth, the identities of the victims are being established, and relatives have been asked to identify the bodies found after the sewer incident subsided.
Exploring the Enigmatic Moscow Sewers
The allure of the expansive Moscow sewers, many of which date back to Soviet times, has captivated the imagination of many.
While some channels lead to secret locations within the city, there are fears that victims might have been washed away to hidden spots, necessitating special permission for search efforts.
Meanwhile, videos from other parts of Moscow show the powerful rain triggering waterfalls in warehouses and causing alarming flooding, highlighting the widespread impact of the torrential downpour.