Kerala Tourists Drown in Frozen Sela Lake, Bodies Retrieved After Rescue Operation
Two young tourists from Kerala tragically drowned in Arunachal Pradesh's Sela Lake. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon when a section of the frozen lake surface gave way beneath them.
Officials confirmed the recovery of both bodies by Saturday. Rescue teams worked through challenging conditions to complete their mission.
Victims Identified as Young Tourists from Kerala
The deceased have been identified as Binu Prakash, aged 26, and Madhav M, aged 24. Binu hailed from Nedumpana village in Kollam district while Madhav came from Menath village in Malappuram district.
Both young men were part of a seven-member tourist group visiting from Kerala. All members of the group were in their twenties.
Sequence of the Tragic Incident
According to Tawang SP DW Thongon, the tragedy unfolded when one member of the group, Anandhu P, ventured onto the frozen lake surface. The ice gave way beneath him, plunging him into the frigid waters.
"Binu Prakash and Madhav M immediately rushed to help their friend," Thongon explained. "They managed to pull Anandhu to safety, but unfortunately, both rescuers could not save themselves and drowned."
Anandhu survived the incident thanks to his friends' brave but ultimately fatal rescue attempt.
Rescue Operation and Recovery Details
Rescue teams recovered Binu Prakash's body on Friday itself. Madhav M's body was retrieved from the same location at 10 am on Saturday.
"The bodies were found at the exact spot where the drowning occurred," stated Hakraso Kri, Additional DC of Jang sub-division. "They were pulled from water surrounded by frozen layers."
The preliminary autopsy report confirmed drowning as the cause of death for both victims.
Massive Coordinated Rescue Effort
Multiple agencies collaborated in the challenging rescue operation at the high-altitude location. SDRF, Civil Police, SSB, ITBP, paratroopers, the Army, and BRO personnel all participated.
Their coordinated efforts eventually led to the successful recovery of both bodies despite the difficult terrain and weather conditions.
Tourist Group's Journey and Warnings Ignored
The seven tourists had traveled from Kerala to Tawang via Guwahati. Some members of the group visited Sela Lake despite existing advisories.
"Advisories were clearly in place asking tourists not to enter the frozen lake," Kri emphasized. "They went there anyway, and this tragedy occurred."
Sela Lake sits at approximately 13,700 feet above sea level near the famous Sela mountain pass. It remains a popular tourist destination despite the inherent risks of high-altitude frozen water bodies.
Bodies Returned to Kerala
After completing all necessary formalities, authorities sent both bodies from Tawang to their respective homes in Kerala. The transportation route passed through Guwahati.
Officials expected the bodies to reach their final destinations by Sunday, bringing closure to grieving families back in Kerala.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder about the dangers of venturing onto frozen lakes, especially in high-altitude regions where conditions can change rapidly and warnings should be heeded carefully.
