Two tourists have died after drowning in a frozen lake in India's Arunachal Pradesh.
The tourists, who were from Kerala, died after slipping under the ice on the frozen surface of Sela Lake in Tawang, which cracked under their weight. The lake is a popular tourist attraction situated at an elevation of approximately 13,700 feet and is prone to extreme winter conditions.
Police identified the deceased as 24-year-old Binu Prakash and 26-year-old Madhav G. According to media reports, Binu’s body was recovered late on Friday, while Madhav’s was found on Saturday morning following an hours-long search.
Officials stated that a group of seven tourists, travelling together from Guwahati to Tawang, had stopped near Sela Lake to take photographs. One member of the group reportedly walked onto the frozen water body while speaking on the phone. The ice gave way, and he slipped into the lake.
Five members of the group attempted to rescue him; three managed to get out safely, but two were pulled under the icy water.
Police and army personnel conducted rescue operations but were severely hampered by extreme cold, poor visibility, and the high altitude. Authorities noted that the tourists had ignored warning signs installed at Sela Lake, which strictly prohibit visitors from walking on frozen water bodies.
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