Tour group are washed away to their death in Moscow sewer: Eight feared dead after torrential rain breaks out during guided walk

At least eight people are feared dead after their tour group was washed away as torrential rains spread Moscow’s underground sewers flow into a swirling stream.

The group had embarked on a guided walk through the sewers of the Russian capital when a torrent of rain poured down and forced an underground stream to flow through the tunnels.

A desperate search was underway today to find the eight caught in the devastating incident.

So far, the bodies of three tragic teenagers have been found: Gleb Lagashin, 17, his girlfriend Viktoria Schneider, 15, and his 15-year-old cousin Elizaveta Markushina, 15.

The body of a schoolgirl, 15, is said to have washed into the Moscow River via an overflow. She was reportedly found with a lacerated head wound.

Russian authorities are now working to find and recover others, including Dmitry Markushkin, 47, a public relations chief for Russian IT firm Lanit, related to both Gleb and Elizaveta.

A source previously told the Russian news agency TASS: “A group of up to eight people went on a tour of the underground collectors, where they were during a heavy downpour.

‘Nobody contacts us, people are searched. Currently, the bodies of a man of about 40 years old and a girl have been found in the Moscow River. identities are being established,” said the source.

The group was also identified by a specialist guide as Konstantin Filipov, 31. He is still missing.

His latest message was a plea for help with an early sewer exit at Trubnaya, in northern Moscow, due to an emergency caused by the heavy rains.

His text read, “F***, it’s raining. Can I go out in Trubnaya?’

Also missing was 34-year-old Darya Bykova, who had signed up for the field trip.

After the sudden downpour, all communication with the group was lost.

Relatives of the missing people called the police for help.

A total of eight are known to have been on the sewer tour, but officials fear there may be more.

Two dozen had signed on for the underground tour, and Baza said it’s unknown how many actually went.

“It’s possible there were actually two groups of 12, not counting the guides,” Baza said.

The £75 tour covered the secret labyrinths beneath Moscow, and at least eight went on the journey.

Another tour guide – known as Digger – said, ‘Why the cardinal rule (no tours in the rain) was broken I don’t know.

“I also don’t know if the (guide) survived himself – no one can contact him.

“There is also a question as to why minors were allowed on the tour.

“In general, tours do not involve people under the age of 18.”

It is understood that relatives have been asked to identify the bodies of those found after the sewer wave dissipated.

Restrictions on Russians traveling to the West mean many will be holidaying in their own country this year.

Moscow’s cavernous sewers – many dating back to Soviet times – have long fascinated.

Some channels lead to secret locations in Moscow. It is feared victims may have been washed up here and special permission will be needed to search for them.

Elsewhere in Moscow, videos show how the raging rain caused waterfalls in warehouses and alarming flooding.