ITANAGAR: What began as a routine sightseeing trip to one of Arunachal Pradesh’s most picturesque high-altitude destinations turned tragic on Friday afternoon, when two tourists from Kerala entered the icy waters of Sela Lake in an attempt to rescue a fellow group member who had fallen through the frozen surface. One of the rescuers lost his life, while the other remains missing, prompting a large-scale rescue operation amid harsh weather and treacherous terrain.

The incident occurred at around 3 pm on Friday at Sela Lake, a popular tourist attraction located in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district at an altitude of more than 13,000 feet above sea level. The lake, which often freezes over during winter, draws hundreds of visitors who are captivated by its snow-covered surroundings and serene beauty. However, officials have repeatedly warned that the ice layer on the lake is unstable and incapable of supporting human weight.

According to Tawang superintendent of police (SP) DW Thungon, a seven-member group of tourists from Kerala had travelled to Tawang district via Guwahati. While visiting Sela Lake, one member of the group ventured onto the ice-covered surface of the lake and fell through. In an instinctive attempt to save him, two other members of the group, identified as Dinu, 26, and Mahadev, 24, entered the frozen lake.

“The person who first went onto the frozen lake slipped and fell into the water. Seeing him in distress, Dinu and Mahadev rushed in to help,” SP Thungon said. “Unfortunately, the conditions were extremely dangerous.”

While the initial victim managed to pull himself out of the lake and survived, the rescue attempt by the two men from Kerala ended in tragedy. Dinu was later found dead in the lake, while Mahadev went missing and could not be traced before nightfall.

Soon after the incident was reported, a joint rescue operation was launched involving personnel from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local authorities. The rescue teams battled freezing temperatures, low oxygen levels, and rapidly deteriorating visibility as they searched the icy waters.

“Despite the extremely difficult weather and terrain, one body was recovered,” Thungon said. “However, due to poor visibility, falling temperatures, and harsh conditions, the search operation for the missing tourist had to be suspended. The rescue will resume on Saturday morning at 8 am.”

Dinu’s body was retrieved from the lake and transported to the Jang Community Health Centre, where it has been kept for a post-mortem examination scheduled for Saturday. Officials said formal procedures would be completed before arrangements are made to hand over the body to his family.

Authorities expressed concern over the repeated disregard of safety advisories by tourists visiting high-altitude destinations during winter. Thungon noted that clear signboards have been installed around Sela Lake and other tourist spots in the district, explicitly prohibiting visitors from walking on frozen lakes.

“The district administration had also issued an advisory on December 17, warning tourists that the ice layer may be unstable and unable to bear human weight,” he said. “These advisories are meant to prevent exactly such tragedies.”

Local officials said that while Sela Lake appears frozen and solid during winter, the thickness of the ice varies across different sections of the lake. Factors such as fluctuating temperatures, underwater currents, and snow cover can weaken the ice, making it extremely dangerous to step onto, even if it looks firm from the surface.

Rescue operations in the region are particularly challenging due to the lake’s high altitude and remote location. At over 13,000 feet, oxygen levels are significantly lower, increasing the risk of altitude sickness for both tourists and rescue personnel. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with strong winds, snowfall, and dense fog often reducing visibility to near zero within minutes.

Officials said these factors contributed to the decision to temporarily suspend the search for Mahadev on Friday evening. “Continuing the operation in such conditions would have put the lives of rescuers at serious risk,” an official involved in the operation said.

The tragedy has cast a shadow over tourism in the region, which has seen a steady increase in visitors over the past few years following improvements in road connectivity and infrastructure. Sela Pass and Sela Lake are considered must-visit destinations for tourists travelling to Tawang, especially during winter when the landscape is blanketed in snow.

However, local authorities and disaster management officials have repeatedly stressed the importance of adhering to safety guidelines, particularly in high-altitude and extreme-weather environments. “Tourists often underestimate the dangers posed by frozen water bodies,” an SDRF official said. “What looks like a harmless, frozen surface can turn fatal in seconds.”

As the search for Mahadev resumes, officials said additional equipment and personnel would be deployed if weather conditions permit. The district administration has also informed the families of both victims and is coordinating with the Kerala government to provide necessary assistance.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with adventure and sightseeing in fragile mountain ecosystems, especially during winter. While the instinct to help someone in distress is deeply human, experts say that untrained rescue attempts in extreme conditions can often worsen the situation.

Authorities once again appealed to tourists to respect advisories, follow instructions from local officials, and avoid venturing onto frozen lakes or rivers under any circumstances. “No photograph or moment of thrill is worth a human life,” an official said.

As Arunachal Pradesh continues to attract visitors from across the country, Friday’s tragedy at Sela Lake underscores the urgent need for greater awareness, stricter enforcement of safety norms, and responsible tourism to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in the future.