The calamity struck a group of tourists camping near Lake Yalchik in the Mari-El region, as high winds caused trees to topple, engulfing their campsite within the Mariy Chodra National Park.
Central Russia was devastated by a powerful storm that swept through the region, resulting in the loss of ten lives, including three innocent children. The calamity unfolded on Saturday when a group of tourists, camping near Lake Yalchik in the picturesque Mari-El region, encountered the full force of the tempest.
The impact of the high winds proved catastrophic, causing a torrent of trees to come crashing down on the area where the tourists had pitched their tents, turning a serene stretch of wild beach inside the Mariy Chodra National Park into a scene of utter tragedy. Regional leader Yuri Zaitsev shared the heartbreaking news on social media, shedding light on the gravity of the situation, as PTI reported.
In the aftermath of the disaster, Russia's investigative committee has initiated a criminal case to assess whether the park's management company bears any responsibility for the tragic deaths, raising questions about the safety measures and standards in place.
The storm's wrath extended beyond the Mari-El region, with the wider Volga Federal District witnessing 76 people injured and countless households left without power, further underscoring the extent of the natural disaster's impact on communities.