MOSCOW -- The Chinese Consulate General in Irkutsk, Russia, confirmed on Friday that seven Chinese tourists drowned after their vehicle fell through the ice on Lake Baikal in Russia.

According to the consulate, the vehicle was carrying eight Chinese tourists when it plunged through the ice. One tourist managed to escape and was rescued, while the remaining seven were confirmed dead.

Upon learning of the accident, the Chinese Consulate General in Irkutsk immediately activated its emergency response mechanism, urgently contacted Russian authorities, and requested that they make every effort to conduct rescue and recovery operations and to determine the cause of the accident as soon as possible.

Consular officials have been dispatched to the accident site to assist in handling the aftermath.