TAWANG: A tragic accident at the frozen Sela Lake in Tawang has claimed the lives of two young tourists from Kerala. The search operation concluded today, Saturday, with the recovery of the second victim’s body from the icy waters (Sela Lake Tragedy).
Incident Details
The incident occurred on Friday afternoon when a seven-member group of tourists from Kerala, travelling from Guwahati to Tawang, stopped at Sela Lake, a high-altitude tourist destination situated at over 13,000 feet above sea level. According to officials, one member of the group ventured onto the frozen surface of the lake, where the ice suddenly gave way, causing him to slip into the water.
In a heroic attempt to rescue him, two others—Binu (Dinu) Prakash (26) from Kollam and Mahadev G (24) from Malappuram—rushed forward. While the first person managed to climb out safely, both Binu and Mahadev were swept beneath the fragile ice and failed to resurface.
Rescue and Recovery Operations
A joint rescue operation was immediately launched by the Tawang district police along with the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Battling extreme cold, thin ice, and poor visibility, rescue teams recovered the body of Binu Prakash late on Friday night.
Due to darkness and hazardous conditions, the search for Mahadev G was suspended overnight. The operation resumed at first light today, and his body was located and recovered later in the morning, bringing the search to a close.
Post-Mortem and Repatriation
Binu Prakash’s body was taken to the Jang Community Health Centre for post-mortem examination on Saturday. Following the recovery of Mahadev’s body, similar legal and medical formalities are being completed. District officials said arrangements are underway to transport both bodies to Guwahati, from where they will be flown back to Kerala for their final rites.
Authorities Urge Caution
Authorities expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and reiterated safety warnings for tourists visiting high-altitude regions during winter. Authorities said that despite warning signboards and advisories, tourists often disregard the warnings and venture onto the frozen lake, whose fragile ice cannot bear human weight.
Officials further warned that frozen water bodies at high altitudes can appear deceptively solid but may give way without warning, and urged visitors to strictly follow safety instructions to prevent similar tragedies.