According to RIA Novosti, Russian Children's Ombudsman Pavel Astakhov said that their deaths were likely the result of a lack of life jackets.
"It appears that the children who drowned didn't have life jackets. Those who had life jackets managed to survive," Astakhov said.
Выжили дети бывшие в спасательных жилетах. Чудовищная неосмотрительность взрослых привела к трагедии. Разбираемся, скорбим…
— Павел Астахов (@RFdeti) 19 June 2016
"We're now trying to find out who gave approval for the children to take part in this trip, and if all of those taking part in it were equipped with life jackets," he said.
He also added that his representative has already arrived at the scene of the tragedy, and that the authorities are already trying to determine who exactly planned this tourist trip and whether they took the necessary safety precautions.
"We're conducting an independent investigation parallel to that run by the authorities, in order to find out who approved the group's route, why the children didn't receive proper safety instructions and why no necessary training was performed," Astakhov said.
According to Astakhov, a criminal case regarding this tragedy has been launched and the Investigative Committee is already handling the matter.
According to the Russian Emegencies Ministry, the bodies of at least twelve people were found and 36 tourists have been rescued. The fate of four tourists remains unknown.
On Saturday a tourist group, consisting mostly of children, has been caught in a strong lake storm in Karelia, northwest Russia.
