NIGHTMARE

Three Die in Dry Ice Disaster at Russian Instagram Influencer’s Pool Party

Dry ice was reportedly dumped in the water after guests exiting a sauna complained it was too warm—and to create a dramatic “visual effect.”

Three people died and others were injured on Friday when dry ice was poured into a swimming pool at a Russian Instagram influencer’s 29th birthday party in Moscow. Influencer Yekaterina Didenko’s husband, 32-year-old Valentin Didenko, died after jumping in the water to cool down after exiting a sauna. About 25 kilograms of dry ice was reportedly poured into the water after guests complained it was too warm—and to create a dramatic “visual effect.”

Instagram videos posted by Didenko during the party showed her friends wearing swimsuits, pole dancing, and eating and drinking around a table. A few hours later, she uploaded several videos of her weeping and explaining that the party had gone horribly wrong. The dry ice, a solid form of carbon dioxide, reportedly caused some swimmers to choke and lose consciousness. The Russian Investigative Committee reportedly confirmed on Saturday that they had opened a criminal investigation into the incident.