Misleading Footage Circulates of Sela Lake Incident, Sparking Safety Concerns

Footage showing tourists stranded in a frozen lake has gone viral across social media platforms, with users claiming it depicts a recent incident at Sela Lake in Arunachal Pradesh. The widely shared video has prompted concerns about tourist safety in the region, but investigation reveals the claims contain misleading information.

The viral Facebook post, which has accumulated over 200,000 views, carried an urgent caption: “Sad news, Deadly At Sela Lake: Three Tourists Fall Through Frozen Lake, One Body Recovered, Another Rescued, One Still Missing..guys do share this video for awareness #viral.”

Similar posts have spread across multiple social media channels, with many users resharing the content with identical claims about a purportedly recent tragedy at the popular tourist destination in India’s northeastern state.

However, fact-checking reveals the video actually dates back to January 2023, depicting an incident where four tourists reportedly fell into Sela Lake after venturing onto its frozen surface. The current circulation of this footage as a recent event is therefore misleading and has caused unnecessary alarm.

Sela Lake, situated at an elevation of approximately 13,700 feet along the Balipara-Charduar-Tawang road in Arunachal Pradesh, attracts thousands of visitors annually. The pristine alpine lake, which freezes over during winter months, has become an increasingly popular tourist destination in recent years.

Tourism officials from Arunachal Pradesh have previously issued warnings about the dangers of walking on frozen water bodies without proper guidance, especially as climate change has made ice conditions less predictable. The viral video, while from a previous incident, does highlight genuine safety concerns that persist in the region.

“These types of incidents underscore the need for better visitor management and safety protocols at high-altitude tourist destinations,” said a regional tourism expert who requested anonymity. “With social media driving more visitors to remote locations like Sela Lake, proper infrastructure and safety measures become increasingly critical.”

The misleading circulation of old footage as new events has become a recurring issue on social media platforms, particularly during extreme weather events or natural disasters. Such misinformation can complicate emergency response efforts and cause undue panic among the public and families of visitors to the region.

Local authorities have periodically implemented safety measures at Sela Lake, including restricting access to certain areas during dangerous conditions and deploying emergency response teams during peak tourist seasons.

The original incident from January 2023 prompted authorities to enhance safety protocols and install additional warning signs around the lake. Despite these measures, tourists occasionally disregard safety warnings in pursuit of photographs and experiences on the frozen lake.

Tourism in Arunachal Pradesh has grown substantially over the past decade, with visitors drawn to the state’s pristine landscapes, cultural heritage, and natural wonders. Sela Lake, along with Tawang Monastery and other high-altitude destinations, represents a significant driver of the regional economy.

Officials from the state tourism department have emphasized the importance of responsible tourism practices, particularly in ecologically sensitive and potentially hazardous areas like frozen lakes. Visitors are encouraged to hire local guides familiar with terrain conditions and adhere to all posted safety guidelines.

While the viral video does not depict a recent incident as claimed, it serves as an important reminder of the real dangers associated with frozen lakes and the necessity for caution when visiting such destinations, especially during winter months when ice conditions can be unpredictable.

Social media users are advised to verify information before sharing potentially misleading content, particularly when it involves reports of emergencies or accidents at popular tourist destinations.