A tour guide and seven tourists perished during an excursion of Moscow’s sewer system on Sunday, August 20. The catastrophe transpired when the touring party was trapped underground, a consequence of the weekend’s heavy rainfall. The fatal event was verified by Russian national news.

The tour had focused on the Neglinka River, which meanders through Moscow within a complex system of historical tunnels established in the 19th century. The tunnels, overwhelmed by the continuous rain, flooded, causing the group to become trapped and eventually be carried into the Moskva River.

Divers were employed in the subsequent rescue mission. The unfortunate victims were discovered close to Zaryadye Park, a central spot in Moscow, as documented by the BBC. A rescue operative confirmed that all were found deceased and that the search operation had concluded.

Current investigations by officials aim to determine if the touring group adhered to safety guidelines during their expedition. Three organizers were behind the tour, with one currently facing legal proceedings and another purportedly having relocated to the United Arab Emirates.

The identities of three victims have been made public: a tour company employee, his 15-year-old daughter, and a 17-year-old nephew.

Expressing grief over the event, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described the occurrence as a horrific tragedy.

As noted by the Ria news agency, over 20 individuals had initially planned to be part of the tour but withdrew due to the impending weather warnings.