A man in his 30s fell 40 meters to his death
while trying to take a photo at a Brazilian waterfall
Nearly 480 people died worldwide
while taking selfies between 2008 and 2024
A man in his 30s died after slipping and falling approximately 40 meters while trying to take a photo at a waterfall in Brazil.
A rescue helicopter was dispatched... but he was pronounced dead
According to CNN Brazil and other local sources on February 26 (local time), on February 21, Caiu Ribeiro Bacistella, 35, died after falling from a waterfall in Sao Jorge Park, located in Ponta Grossa, Parana state. He was an accountant from Curitiba.
Bacistella moved closer to the edge of the waterfall to take a picture when he lost his balance and fell approximately 130 feet (about 40 meters) below. Gustavo Sabatovski, a trainee firefighter, told local media that a companion who was with him tried to grab his clothes but could not prevent the fall and almost slipped over the edge himself.
Four firefighters were dispatched to the scene, and a mobile emergency medical helicopter was also deployed. Authorities explained that the area around the waterfall is difficult to access and the terrain is steep, requiring specialized skills for rescue and recovery operations. However, Bacistella was pronounced dead at the scene of the fall. His body was transferred to the forensic institute in Ponta Grossa and then handed over to his family.
Tourists risk their lives for 'proof shots' at attractions
Accidents involving people taking photos at tourist sites continue to occur around the world. According to a report by the British daily newspaper The Telegraph in February last year, about 480 people worldwide died while taking selfies between 2008 and the end of 2024. This is a larger number than the five to six people per year known to die from shark attacks.
Such incidents are said to occur mainly at famous tourist destinations, such as movie and TV series filming locations. In particular, there are numerous cases of accidents at dangerous locations like cliffs or building exteriors. In 2023, after a series of fatal accidents at the top of rocky terrain around the Saddleworth Reservoir in the UK's Peak District, authorities issued warnings urging people to refrain from taking selfies.
Mark Griffiths, Honorary Professor of Behavioral Addiction at Nottingham Trent University in England, pointed out, "Selfie addiction is related to showing off and displays of masculinity," adding, "This tendency becomes more pronounced when engaging in extreme actions that others do not attempt."
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