‘Safety is important’: Kiren Rijiju shares video of tourists stranded in frozen lake in Arunachal Pradesh

Union minister Kiren Rijiju has shared a video of a group of tourists stranded at Arunachal Pradesh’s Sela Pass.The video shared by Rijiju shows that the tourists fell into extremely cold waters after the ice of the frozen lake cracked.

Sharing the 51-second video, Rijiju said on X: “At the Sela Pass in Arunachal Pradesh. My advice to tourists. Walk on frozen lakes with experienced people, drive carefully on slippery snow roads and be aware of snow avalanches, so wear warm clothes and enjoy your safety.

The sudden collapse caused panic, but a major accident was averted due to the quick action of passers-by, who successfully rescued the tourists armed with bamboo sticks.

The video went viral on social media and netizens are urging tourists to keep safety as their top priority. “Over-enthusiasm and lack of local knowledge are more often fatal. Lucky for them.”

“Please provide a warning sign that should be there for people’s safety (sic),” said a second user. “The mad unregulated rush of tourists in the pristine states…will affect the people and nature of the mountains. Strict policies and regulated numbers are required,” wrote another user.

Some users have also shared their experiences at Sela Pass and elsewhere.

“My personal experience from this place…as soon as people go there, they become more adventurous and try to go as far as possible like a competition…a couple of people fell into the water even when we visited last year.” the user commented.

“Sir, it actually happened to me at the confluence of the Indus River and the Zanskar River. I started walking across it and then I plunged into the cold water. Fortunately, my dad and brother got me out safely,” another user wrote.