Floodwaters trapped participants in a guided sewer tour under the busy streets of Moscow, leading to the tragic loss of at least four lives.

The incident, caused by heavy rains, has left the city in shock, prompting an urgent investigation into the circumstances that led to this calamity.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed the fatalities but refrained from specifying the exact number, as rescue teams continue their search for several individuals who remain unaccounted for. The sudden and overwhelming nature of Sunday’s flooding rendered escape impossible for those trapped beneath the city’s labyrinthine sewer system.

Moscow’s history

The tour, offered by various companies, allows participants to explore Moscow’s sewer network, some sections of which date back to the 19th century. Despite the tour’s unusual nature, it has gained popularity among adventure seekers and history enthusiasts.

Russian media reported the discovery of a teenage girl’s body in the Moskva River on Sunday evening, near the city’s iconic Zaryadye Park located in the heart of Moscow. Tragically, the following morning, the lifeless bodies of a man and another teenage boy were found at the same location. A fourth victim was discovered nearby on Monday.

20 signed up

Reports indicate that the group was exploring the subterranean Neglinka River, a tributary of the Moskva River. Originally, more than 20 individuals had signed up for the tour; however, most withdrew their participation due to the forecast of heavy rain.

Despite adverse weather conditions, eight people proceeded with the tour. Tragically, these participants became trapped when the sewer system flooded, leaving them with no means of escape.

Rescue efforts are ongoing, with divers scouring the Moskva River in search of any additional victims who may have been swept away during the incident.

A criminal investigation has been launched, focusing on allegations that safety standards may not have been adequately adhered to during the sewer tour.