Children killed as storm turns boating trip into tragedy on Russian lake

At least 14 children and their adult instructor have died after their boats capsized in stormy weather during an outing in Russia.

They were travelling on a lake in the country's northwest, not far from the border with Finland, when bad weather hit on Saturday night.

An instructor has been detained for questioning amid allegations that

the children were not wearing life jackets.

Most of the victims were aged between 12 and 15 and had been attending a summer camp nearby.

A criminal case has been opened and a summer camp instructor detained

It is believed many of the children died from long exposure to cold water, as temperatures in the lake are only 8C to 10C (46F to 50F) at this time of year.

Lake Syamozero is a popular holiday destination, but local officials had been warning visitors not to go boating because of an advancing cyclone from the Atlantic.

The weather forecast for the weekend was so severe that even experienced fishermen had stayed away from the lake in recent days, locals said.

The victims were among 47 children and four adults who were on the trip.

Vladimir Kucherenko, who runs a nearby tourist company, said: "I would like to look the person who allowed them to go boating in the eye. It was suicidal."