Tourist Rescued After Falling Into 70-Foot Gorge While Taking A Selfie
A tourist had to be dramatically rescued after falling into a 70-foot gorge while attempting to take a selfie.
The man was taking a photograph of himself at the Ajanta Caves, India on Sunday when he slipped and plunged into the huge gorge near Saptakund Waterfall.
The tourist survived by clinging to a stone along the waterfall until authorities reached him. A video of his harrowing rescue has been widely shared online.
According to The Times of India, the tourist and his four friends had reached the viewing point near the Saptkunda waterfall when the group decided to take selfies.
Police say the tourist lost his footing while taking the photograph and fell into the 70-foot gorge adjacent to the waterfall’s viewing point.
His friends immediately alerted the authorities and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) staff. Meanwhile, the man clung to a rock while waiting for help.
Tourist guides had to help the local police and archaeology department officials to successfully locate the tourist. When they finally found him clinging to the waterfall stones, the rescue operation team managed to extract the man out of the gorge using ropes and harnesses.
In the widely-shared footage of the rescue, the man is seen suspended from a cable over the waterfall. He is filmed being rescued with a long rope manned by over 10 people.
The clip finishes with the group pulling the dangling man past the enormous waterfall and back to safety on the cliffs.
Some reports suggest that after he plunged into the gorge, the tourist began swimming which gave him more time and helped authorities in his rescue.
A study by the iO Foundation found 379 people were killed while taking selfies around the world between January 2008 and July 2021.
India ranked at the top of the list with 100 deaths while the U.S. came second with 39 deaths.
The researchers of the iO report also compiled data on the 10 most dangerous places on earth to take a selfie. These spots include the Glen Canyon in the U.S., Niagara Falls in Canada, Charco del Burro in Colombia, and Penha beach in Brazil.
PetaPixel previously reported on a man who plunged nearly 40 feet to his death after losing his balance while taking a selfie in Brazil.
