Who doesn’t love a travel selfie? Snapping a photo of yourself against a stunning backdrop is a popular way to capture memories from your trips.
However, not all selfie spots are safe. In fact, some areas have become notorious for incidents known as “killfies,” where people have lost their lives while trying to take a photo.
It’s crucial to be more than careful when attempting to take a shot in certain locations. Here are eight of the most dangerous selfie locations in the world, where travelers have tragically lost their lives:
1. Machu Picchu, Peru
The ancient ruins of Machu Picchu are perched atop a mountain, soaring about 8,000 feet above sea level. This breathtaking location features abundant steep drop-offs.
While the citadel staff rope off areas explicitly banning travelers for safety reasons, even permitted pathways can pose risks.
A tragic incident occurred in 2016 when a German tourist accidentally jumped to their demise while leaping in the air to take a selfie.
2. Grand Canyon, United States
The Grand Canyon is a majestic natural wonder, but it also sees approximately 12 visitor deaths per year. Dying by selfies is increasingly common at this site.
People have lost their lives while taking photos by engaging in dangerous activities like walking on the rim of the canyon that lacks railings, hiking at Ooh Aah Point, and even taking selfies in the Colorado River.
3. Tamil Nadu, India
A heartbreaking incident occurred in Tamil Nadu involving a family by the Pambar Dam. Four out of six family members drowned when a newly married woman was taking a picture of them in waist-deep water.
One family member slipped, subsequently pulling the others into dangerous waters. The woman who was taking the selfie was among those who drowned. Her husband managed to save his sister.
4. Mount Huashan, China
The exact number of people who have lost their lives taking selfies at Mount Huashan isn’t known because the park doesn’t release those details.
However, rumor suggests that Mount Huashan takes around 100 lives each year, regardless of the method.
An incident reported involved a Chinese tourist who fell to her demise in 2019 after taking a selfie. Moments before her fall from dangerous planks bolted to the 7,000-foot-high side of the mountain, she was sending photos of her trip to her university classmates in a group chat.
5. Trolltunga Rock, Norway
Trolltunga Rock is famous for providing stunning fjord-backdrop photos, but making it out alive after visiting is essential.
The hike to Trolltunga Rock is demanding. Upon arrival, visitors may even have to wait in line for up to two hours just to take their selfie. An Australian tourist made a fatal decision upon arriving there.
While witnesses initially reported she passed away taking a selfie, her family later learned from witnesses that she hadn’t been taking a selfie but instead hit uneven footing when she moved around people, plummeting to the ground.
Regardless of the exact cause in that specific case, Trolltunga Rock is considered a notoriously dangerous destination.
6. Santa Catarina, Brazil
The waves in Santa Catarina can be vicious, crashing against massive rocks onshore. A Brazilian tourist tragically walked into the ocean to take a selfie of herself standing by these rocks.
The powerful waves knocked her over and swept her out to sea. Although a helicopter and diver rescued her, and medics detected a heartbeat after performing CPR, the woman unfortunately passed away from cardiac arrest on her emergency flight to the hospital.
7. Gocta Waterfall, Peru
In a gut-wrenching coincidence, a South Korean man also passed away from taking a selfie in Peru on the same day as the German tourist at Machu Picchu.
This incident occurred at the secluded Gocta waterfall in the northeast part of the country. He slipped while attempting to take a photo and fell an astonishing 1,600 feet.
8. Ozark National Forest, United States
A U.S. college student was on a routine class trip to the Ozarks with an experienced professor who had been taking students there for over 20 years.
Tragically, the environmental science student lost her footing while taking a photo. She fell nearly 100 feet, to the fear and shock of her professor and classmates.
Alicia Richards