Two Kerala Tourists Drown as Ice Breaks on Sela Lake; One Missing
Two Kerala Tourists Drown as Ice Breaks on Sela Lake; One Missing
Two Kerala tourists slip on fragile ice at Sela Lake in Arunachal Pradesh; one dies, the other remains missing as rescue teams search amid harsh weather.
Two Kerala tourists slipped onto the frozen surface of Sela Lake in Arunachal Pradesh, triggering a tragic accident in which one person died and another went missing. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon at the high-altitude lake, located in Tawang district, at an elevation of about 13,700 feet. The two identified victims were 26-year-old Dinu and 24-year-old Mahadev, who were part of a seven-member group heading toward Tawang town. Officials noted that the ice cracked under their feet, pulling both men under as a surviving member of the group managed to raise an alarm and seek help.
Rescue crews, including personnel from the Sashastra Seema Bal and the State Disaster Response Force, launched efforts to recover the bodies and locate the missing man. Officials said the operation faced challenging conditions, with fading light and adverse weather forcing authorities to suspend the search temporarily. It was announced that the operation would resume the following morning at 8 a.m. as daylight improved and weather permitted safer searching.
Dinu’s body was recovered and remains at the Jang Community Health Centre about 40 kilometers away, where a post-mortem was planned for Saturday. The survivor who initially entered the lake with the group reportedly endured the fall and helped trigger the rescue attempt, but authorities confirmed he survived the incident. The tragedy underscores the real danger posed by frozen lakes, especially at high elevations where ice can be unstable and may not support human weight.
Local authorities had issued advisories in December 2025 warning tourists against entering or walking on frozen lakes, citing the risk of breakage and avalanches. Signboards at Sela Lake and other popular sites remind visitors that thin ice can be deadly and that such activities are prohibited. The district administration emphasized continuing vigilance and urged tourists to prioritize safety while enjoying Arunachal Pradesh’s scenic destinations.
