2 Tourists From Andhra Pradesh Drown While Clicking Selfies: Police

Koraput, Odisha: Two women tourists from Andhra Pradesh drowned while clicking selfies near a river in Odisha's Rayagada district, police said. While posing on a slippery rock in the river, they lost balance and accidentally slipped into the river, he said.

The women have been identified as E Jyoti, 27, and S Sredevi, 23. The incident took place yesterday when the two women, part of a group of nine from Vishakapatnam, were visiting the suspension bridge built over Nagavali river in Rayagada. 

"After clicking some selfies on the bridge, they went down to the river to take more photos," said Inspector in charge of Rayagada police station, RK Patro.

The other members of the group called for help and informed the police. Their bodies were fished out with the help of fire personnel, local villagers and their families were informed, he said.

The police are also investigating if the women died while taking selfies or accidentally slipped into the river.

Advertisement

The act of clicking selfies has led to dangerous public behaviour resulting in countless deaths across the world. 

India has registered a high number selfie-related deaths in recent years. Many of them died while posing in front of an oncoming train, in a boat that tipped over at a picnic, on a cliff and on slippery rocks. Two years ago, a Japanese tourist trying to take a selfie fell down steps at the Taj Mahal and suffered fatal head injuries.

Advertisement

The selfie is now considered a serious threat to public safety and has prompted governments and regulatory bodies to identify dangerous zones and launch public awareness campaigns.

Last year, the Mumbai police marked more than a dozen "no-selfie zones" after three young girls drowned in the Arabian Sea while taking selfies. Several measures such as deploying life guards and posting warning signs at popular tourist spots were also taken to contain such deaths.

Advertisement

(With inputs from PTI)