Kollam,17 Jan (H.S.):A leisure trip to Arunachal Pradesh turned tragic for a group of tourists from Kerala after an accident at Sela Lake in the Tawang district on Friday.

One person was killed and another is missing after the group reportedly ventured onto the frozen surface of the lake, ignoring official warnings.

The deceased has been identified as Vinu Prakash (26), son of Prakash and Manju, a native of Nedumpana Puthenchanda in Kollam district. The missing person is Madhavan, a resident of Ariyallur, Vallikkunnu. Vinu Prakash was employed with Toyota Motors in Kottiyam.

According to preliminary reports, the accident occurred when members of the eight-member group attempted to walk across ice-covered portions of Sela Lake. The ice sheet reportedly gave way, causing several of them to plunge into the freezing waters below. Authorities said the group had entered the restricted area despite clear warnings advising tourists not to step onto the lake.

Immediately after the incident, personnel from the Indian Army and local police launched a rescue operation and managed to save five members of the group. However, extreme weather conditions, including sub-zero temperatures and poor visibility, hampered further efforts. The search for the missing tourist was suspended by Friday evening due to the harsh conditions.

The group had departed from Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery, on Wednesday and had planned to return on the 23rd of this month.

Local authorities have once again urged tourists visiting high-altitude destinations in Arunachal Pradesh to strictly follow safety advisories, especially in winter, when frozen water bodies pose serious and often fatal risks.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman