What is a Selfie... Four Women Fall to Their Death at a Waterfall in India

All Victims Aged 17-20... Misstep from 4.5m Height
Accidents Continue in India Due to Reckless Selfie Taking

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] A group of women taking 'selfies' on top of a waterfall in India fell down, resulting in four deaths among them.

According to local media such as the Times of India on the 27th (local time), five women aged 17 to 20 lost their balance and slipped into the water while taking selfies at Kitwad Waterfall in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, western India, the previous morning. They were students attending a private Arabic language education center in the nearby city of Belagavi, and about 40 people including students and some parents had come there for an outing that day. While other students were playing in the water, these five climbed up to the top of the waterfall to take selfies but slipped and fell about 4.5 meters down. Upon hearing their screams, other students immediately jumped into the water to rescue them, but four drowned and one was rescued unconscious.

In India, accidents while taking selfies occur frequently. In July last year, at a viewing tower near Amer Fort, a historic site near Jaipur in Rajasthan, western India, more than 11 people died after being struck by lightning while taking selfies in severe weather with heavy rain. In January last year, a young woman died while taking selfies at a famous waterfall in Odisha, eastern India. She was dangerously taking selfies repeatedly near the inner edge of the rapid current when a man slipped and bumped into her, causing her to lose balance and be swept away by the rapid current in an instant. Also, in 2019, near Pambar Dam in southern Tamil Nadu, a newlywed bride and three family members drowned while trying to take selfies. The family had entered a reservoir waist-deep in water, holding hands to take selfies together, when one suddenly slipped, causing them all to fall into the water. The groom saved one of the bride’s younger sisters, but the bride could not be rescued.

India is also reported to have the highest number of selfie-related deaths worldwide. According to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 2018, half of the 259 selfie-related deaths worldwide between 2011 and 2017 occurred in India. In January 2018, after a series of selfie accidents near railway tracks or trains, the Indian Minister of Railways issued warnings about the dangers. The minister tweeted, "In the past few days, I have seen news and videos of young people taking selfies or performing stunts on railway tracks and getting into accidents. It is truly unfortunate to hear such news. You are the future of this country, so please do not risk your lives and follow the rules," urging young people to be cautious.