Itanagar, 16 January (HS): One of the two tourists who drowned in an icy lake near Sela Top in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district has been found dead, while search operations are continuing to trace the other missing person.

The incident occurred on Thursday when a group of tourists ventured onto a frozen lake in the Sela Top area. Due to the instability of the ice sheet, the ice cracked, causing three tourists to fall into the freezing water. One of them was rescued in time and is currently undergoing treatment.

According to officials, the drowned tourists are reported to be residents of Kerala. A rescue operation is being carried out under the leadership of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Jang, with personnel from the local police and defence forces deployed at the site.

The body of one tourist was recovered on Friday, while efforts are still underway to locate the other missing person. Authorities said the search operation is being hampered by the lake’s extreme depth, freezing temperatures and challenging high-altitude conditions.

Police personnel from Jang Police Station have confirmed the death, though complete details are yet to be ascertained. Officials stated that rescue and search operations will continue until the missing tourist is traced.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash