Warning over annual tradition as ice plunge kills mum

Every year thousands of people dive into sub-zero waters wearing just swimmers - but there are fresh warnings after one woman’s death.

Warning: Distressing

Social media users are urging caution over a popular annual tradition after eerie footage of a woman losing her life to the practice resurfaced.

Mother-of-two Anna Uskova, 40, died when she plunged into a frozen river to mark Epiphany, a beloved Orthodox Christian celebration that occurs every year, in 2022.

The Orthodox Church believes that on January 19, Jesus Christ was baptised in the Jordan River and revealed himself as the son of God.

In Russia, it is also the day when thousands of people, religious or not, take a dip in the sub-zero waters of nearby rivers and lakes — wearing only their bathing suits, The Moscow Times reports.

According to tradition, water becomes holy on this day, and those who dunk themselves under three times will cleanse their sins away.

But sadly for Ms Uskova, her plunge into the Oredezh River near Vyra, a village south of St Petersburg, resulted in her death after she became trapped under the ice surface that had formed on top of the body of water due to the -5°C air temperatures.

Social media users are warning others about an annual tradition after eerie footage of a woman losing her life to the practice resurfaced. Picture: east2west

A deeply distressing video of the mother jumping feet-first into the black hole, which had been cut into the thick ice, is now being widely circulated on TikTok as many urge those wanting to take-part in the upcoming event to reconsider.

The video shows the lawyer, wearing just a black swimming costume, willingly hop into the water where she was reportedly “pulled away by a powerful current”.

Her husband Yury, 50, can be seen dashing in after his wife but was tragically unable to rescue her.

Their two children can later be heard crying for their mum, but her body was never found, despite extensive search and rescue efforts.

The clip has horrified many social media users, who have urged others to reconsider taking part in the sacred tradition.

“Absolutely heartbreaking, be safe,” one viewer wrote.

“You’re supposed to have a harness or rope attached because of the currents,” another suggested.

As one asked: “Why did no one tell her not to jump in that deep?”

Mother-of-two Anna Uskova died in 2022 after plunging into an icy lake in Russia and being swept away by currents. Picture: east2west

According to the tradition, water becomes holy on this day and those who dunk themselves under three times will cleanse their sins away. Picture: east2west

Many popular spots for the annual tradition across Russia create a “safe” ice hole, which includes installing a wooden steps and frame that allow access to the water.

There are also rescuers and ambulances on standby.

However the ice hole used by Ms Uskova did not have any of these precautions in place.

Head of a local emergency rescue service Alexander Zuyev said at the time it was an “unsuitable” location to perform the sacred tradition.

“The woman went for a plunge in a location where there are no rescuers or appropriate lighting in an unsuitable ice hole,” he said, according to The Metro.

“Oredezh is one of the most dangerous rivers in Leningrad region and people drown in it every year, even in summer.”

Other social media users suggested the tradition was “dangerous”, noting the sub-zero temperatures of the water also pose a risk.

“Plunging into cold water of any temperature becomes dangerous if you aren’t prepared for what the sudden exposure can do to your body and brain,” the National Weather Service advises.

“Cold water quickly removes heat from the body which could lead to cold water shock within the first minute, loss of muscle control within 10 minutes or hypothermia within 20 to 30 minutes.

“When your body hits cold water, ‘cold shock’ can cause dramatic changes in breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. The sudden gasp and rapid breathing alone creates a greater risk of drowning even for confident swimmers in calm waters.”

Originally published as Warning over annual tradition as ice plunge kills mum