Teen Birthday Party Turns Deadly: Four Dead, Four Injured in Baikalsk Tragedy

Tragedy Strikes Baikalsk: Birthday Party Ends in Murder-Suicide and Fire A horrific incident unfolded in Baikalsk, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia, on May 27, 2025, leaving four teenagers dead and four more injured. The incident began at a birthday party where a dispute escalated into violence. One of the teenagers, armed with a knife, attacked several others, causing severe injuries. Following the attack, the assailant, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, set fire to the building where the party was taking place. All four victims died at the scene. Four others sustained serious injuries. "It was a nightmare," said a neighbor who declined to be identified, recalling hearing screams and seeing smoke billowing from the building. "I've never seen anything like it." Investigators are still trying to determine the exact cause of the dispute, but one theory suggests it stemmed from a romantic rejection. The attacker's brother, who spoke anonymously, described the attacker as a good kid who was not known to be involved in drugs or gangs. He said he couldn't believe what happened. The incident has sent shockwaves through the small community of Baikalsk. Authorities have detained several other teenagers who were at the party and are investigating whether alcohol was involved. The investigation is ongoing, and the community is left to grapple with the aftermath of this terrible tragedy. The community is rallying together to support the families of the victims.