Arunachal Pradesh tragedy: Two Kerala tourists drown in Tawang after ice surface collapses

Tawang: A rescue effort turned tragic in the high-altitude mountains of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday as two tourists from Kerala drowned in Sela Lake while attempting to save a companion, local authorities confirmed.

Search crews recovered one body from the frigid waters, but the second individual remains missing in the Tawang district.

"The deceased was identified as Dinu (26), while Mahadev (24) is still missing. They were part of a seven-member tourist group that had arrived in Tawang via Guwahati," stated Superintendent of Police DW Thongon.

According to police, the crisis began in the afternoon when a member of the excursion slipped into the frozen lake. Dinu and Mahadev reportedly plunged into the water to assist him. While the initial tourist managed to scramble to safety, the two rescuers were pulled beneath the ice.

Official word reached the administration around 3 p.m., triggering a multi-agency response. The district police, central security forces, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) launched a joint operation under deteriorating conditions.

"Despite difficult weather and low visibility, the body of one tourist was recovered. The search for the missing person had to be halted due to darkness and harsh conditions," Thongon said. He noted that the recovery efforts are scheduled to resume Saturday morning.

The recovered victim is currently being held at the Jang Community Health Centre for a Saturday autopsy.

In the wake of the accident, Thongon emphasised that warning signs are posted at Sela Lake and surrounding areas, explicitly instructing visitors to stay off the frozen surfaces. The district administration had previously released a December advisory warning that ice on local water bodies is often unstable and cannot support human weight.

Located at an elevation exceeding 13,000 feet, Sela Lake is a frequent stop for travellers but presents lethal hazards during the winter months due to extreme temperatures and thin ice.

With inputs from PTI