Stop playing with death, warn rescuers at the world’s oldest lake

A strong warning was issued by rescuers after a short video was spread on social media showing a young woman jumping on Lake Baikal's melting ice floes. 

She squealed and squeaked as thawing ice sunk under her feet, as if this was an amusement park game.

‘This is a prime example of human stupidity’, said Dmitry Mironov, chief state inspector for small boats in Irkutsk region. 

‘One wrong move, and she could have been dead, as the lake is three metres deep where she was jumping. 

'The ice floes were very close to each other, she wouldn’t have been able to swim up. 

'We saw this video going viral online, and wanted to ask people please not repeat this.’

All 58 ice roads and crossings that people used during winter and early spring were recently shut all around the region. 

Despite multiple warnings, several days ago a man dared to cross River Belaya next to Novomaltinsk village. 

He fell in water some 15 metres from the shore.

Three local men rushed to rescue him, but tragically he drowned. His body has not been found. 

Every worker of Irkutsk Small Boat Inspection will be patrolling rivers and lakes until the water is completely clear of ice.