In the age of social media, a vacation doesn’t feel complete without a photo to share. But some tourist destinations, while breathtakingly beautiful, come with risks that can turn a moment of joy into tragedy.
These selfie spots have claimed lives not because of hostile conditions, but because the pursuit of the perfect shot led to fatal mistakes.
Here are eight tourist destinations where selfies turned deadly reminders of how quickly things can go wrong.
1. Machu Picchu, Peru
Set high in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu is one of the most iconic archaeological sites in the world.
With its ancient stone terraces and sweeping views, it’s a dream location for many travelers. But standing roughly 8,000 feet above sea level, the site is surrounded by steep drop-offs and narrow paths.
Despite strict regulations and roped-off areas meant to protect visitors, tragedies still happen. In 2016, a German tourist attempted a mid-air jump for a selfie along one of the permitted pathways.
The leap cost him his life when he lost balance and fell off the edge. Machu Picchu reminds us that even in carefully controlled environments, a small misstep can lead to disaster.
2. Grand Canyon, United States
The Grand Canyon is among the most visited natural attractions in the U.S., attracting millions of tourists each year with its awe-inspiring views and dramatic cliffs. But those sweeping vistas come with danger.
On average, about 12 people die annually in the Grand Canyon — and a growing number of those deaths are linked to selfies.
Visitors have fallen from the rim while attempting to snap the perfect shot without safety barriers. Some ventured too close to the edge on trails like Ooh Aah Point, while others underestimated the power of the Colorado River.
What begins as a light-hearted photo opportunity can quickly become a deadly misjudgment.
3. Tamil Nadu, India
In 2019, tragedy struck a family in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. A newly married woman gathered her relatives for a selfie in the waist-deep water near the Pambar Dam.
While the water seemed calm and shallow, it concealed hidden currents and slippery rocks.
One person in the group lost balance and slipped, pulling others down with them. Four out of six family members, including the woman who took the selfie, drowned in the incident. Her husband miraculously saved his sister.
The story serves as a heartbreaking reminder that natural water bodies, no matter how peaceful they appear, can be deceptive and deadly.
4. Mount Huashan, China
Mount Huashan, located in China’s Shaanxi Province, is often labeled one of the world’s most dangerous hiking trails and for good reason.
Its infamous plank walk consists of wooden boards bolted into a vertical cliff, hanging more than 7,000 feet above the valley floor.
While exact statistics on deaths are hard to come by Chinese authorities don’t release such data many reports indicate a high number of fatalities annually.
In 2019, a Chinese woman fell to her death while taking a selfie on one of the treacherous paths.
Just moments before, she had been sharing her experience with friends via text and photos. Mount Huashan isn’t just a thrill-seeker’s paradise it’s a place where overconfidence can be fatal.
5. Trolltunga Rock, Norway
Trolltunga, or “The Troll’s Tongue,” juts out horizontally over a fjord in Norway, providing one of the most stunning and Instagram-worthy views in the world. But getting there is no easy feat.
The hike takes eight to twelve hours round-trip, and the cliff itself lacks any railings or guardrails.
In 2015, an Australian tourist tragically fell to her death at the site. Initial reports suggested she slipped while taking a selfie, though later witness accounts claimed she may have fallen while trying to navigate around other visitors.
Regardless of the details, Trolltunga has earned a reputation for being as dangerous as it is beautiful especially for those who edge too close to the drop in pursuit of a photo.
6. Santa Catarina, Brazil
Santa Catarina is known for its rugged coastline and dramatic waves crashing against rock formations. While the view is mesmerizing, it also holds potential danger particularly for those unfamiliar with ocean behavior.
One Brazilian tourist attempted to take a selfie standing close to the waves. In an instant, a powerful surge knocked her off her feet and dragged her into the ocean.
A rescue helicopter arrived swiftly, and a diver pulled her from the water. Although medics briefly detected a heartbeat after CPR, she passed away from cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital.
This tragic story shows how quickly conditions can change near the ocean, even for experienced swimmers.
7. Gocta Waterfall, Peru
The Gocta Waterfall in northern Peru is one of the tallest in the world, with a dramatic drop of over 2,500 feet.
Nestled in a remote jungle area, it’s a dream destination for adventurous travelers and the perfect backdrop for a photo.
In a tragic twist of fate, a South Korean man lost his life at Gocta on the same day another tourist died at Machu Picchu.
The man fell 1,600 feet while taking a selfie near the edge. Isolated and far from emergency services, the area made rescue efforts impossible.
The dual tragedies on a single day underscore the need for extreme caution, especially in remote areas.
8. Ozark National Forest, United States
The Ozark National Forest in Arkansas offers dense forests, mountain ridges, and scenic overlooks a nature-lover’s dream. But even on a supervised school outing, things can go horribly wrong.
A college student majoring in environmental science joined a class trip to the forest, led by a professor with over two decades of experience in the field.
While taking a photo on a cliffside, the student lost her footing and fell nearly 100 feet. The fall shocked her classmates and devastated her family.
Even experienced hikers and guided groups are not immune to the risks involved in high-altitude photography.
Alicia Richards