Boats with children overturn in storm in Russia, killing 12

Authorities have launched criminal investigation and a boating instructor has been detained.

All of the children thought to have died were from Moscow, and were attending a nearby summer camp.

The children were visiting the northwestern region of Karelia from Moscow, officials told AP on Sunday.

The average age of children ranged from 12 to 15 years.

The accident happened overnight on Lake Syamozero, close to the border with Finland, according to Vladimir Markin, a spokesman for Russia’s investigative committee.

June 20, has been announced as a day of mourning in honor of the 13 children and one adult taken when the boats sank in Russian Federation.

A regional MP, Alexei Gavrilov, reportedly told state TV channel Rossiya 24 there had been repeated warnings in the days before the storm, advising against any boating on the lake. The local hospital is now treating the children for hypothermia and they are expected to fully recover. Condolences to their family and friends.

“They didn’t have the right to go out boating”, he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency.

Though the waters are not exceptionally deep the winds and temperature kept even experienced fishermen off the lake in Russian Federation this weekend. The head of the Karelia region declared that all companies providing boat trips in the area would be reviewed.

At least 10 children have been dead in the Karelia incident and three remain missing, TASS reported, citing police.