It is feared that at least eight people have died after their tour group was swept away when torrential rain turned Moscow’s underground sewers into a torrent.
The group had just embarked on a guided tour of the Russian capital’s sewers when a torrent of rain poured down and an underground flood spilled through the tunnels.
A frantic search was conducted today for the eight people involved in the devastating incident.
So far the bodies of three tragic teenagers have been found – Gleb Lagashin, 17, his girlfriend Viktoria Schneider, 15, and his 15-year-old cousin Elizaveta Markushina, 15.
The body of a 15-year-old schoolgirl is said to have been washed into the Moskva through an overflow. She was reportedly found with a lacerated head wound.
The group had been on a tour of the Russian capital’s sewers. Four bodies were found after terrible floods hit Moscow due to sudden torrential rains
A frantic search was conducted today for the eight people involved in the devastating incident
The picture shows the underground sewers that the tour group visited. A desperate search is now underway
Russian authorities are now working to find and recover more people, including Dmitry Markushkin, 47, head of public relations at Russian IT company Lanit, who is related to both Gleb and Elizaveta.
A source previously told Russia’s TASS news agency: “A group of up to eight people took a tour of the underground collectors where they were located during a heavy rain.”
“Nobody is reporting, people are being searched.” The bodies of a 40-year-old man and a girl were currently found in the Moskva. “Identities are being established,” the source said.
The group also included a specialist guide identified as Konstantin Filipov, 31. He’s still missing.
In his last message, he asked for help to exit the sewers in Trubnaya, north of Moscow, early due to an emergency due to heavy rain.
His text message was: ‘Shit, it’s raining. Can I go out in Trubnaya?’
Also missing was Darya Bykova, 34, who signed up for the outing.
After the sudden downpour, all communication with the group was cut off.
Relatives of the missing persons turned to the police for help.
Viktoria Schneider (left), 15, was killed along with her boyfriend Gleb Lagashin, 17. Darya Bykova (right), 34, is also missing at the time of reporting
The bodies of three tragic teenagers have been found – Gleb Lagashin (right), 17, his girlfriend Viktoria Schneider (left), 15, and his 15-year-old cousin Elizaveta Markushina, 15
Identified people from the tour group included Gleb Lagashin (right), 17, and tour guide Konstantin Filipov (left), 31
Identified people in the tour group included Dmitry Markushkin, 47, chief public relations officer of Russian IT company Lanit, and his daughter Elizaveta, 15
Officers are now looking for at least eight bodies trapped in the falling jet of water
A total of eight people are known to have been involved in the sewer tour, but officials fear there could be more.
Two dozen had signed up for the underground tour, and Baza said it didn’t know how many actually attended.
“It’s possible that there were actually two groups of 12 people, not counting the guides,” Baza said.
The £75 tour included the secret labyrinths beneath Moscow, and at least eight people took part in the trip.
Another guide – known as Digger – said: “Why the main rule?” [no tours in the rain] got hurt, I don’t know.
“I don’t know if that either [guide] he himself survived – no one can contact him.
“It also begs the question of why minors were allowed to take part in the tour.”
“Tours generally do not accept anyone under the age of 18.”
The picture shows the underground sewers in Moscow. A total of eight people are known to have been involved in the sewer tour, but officials fear there could be more
Moscow’s cavernous sewers—many of which date back to Soviet times—have long held a fascination
Some of the canals lead to secret places in Moscow. There is a fear that victims may have been washed away here
It is understood that relatives were asked to identify the bodies, which were found after the sewage flood had subsided.
Due to restrictions on travel to the West, many Russians are vacationing at home this year.
Moscow’s cavernous sewers—many of which date back to Soviet times—have long held a fascination.
Some of the canals lead to secret places in Moscow. There are fears that the victims may have been swept away here and a special permit will be required to search for them.
Elsewhere in Moscow, videos show the torrential rain causing waterfalls in warehouses and alarming flooding.