A tragic incident occurred when a hiker fell to his death while attempting to take a selfie during an expedition on a mountain. The 31-year-old individual was part of a group trekking at Mount Nama in Sichuan province, China. Identified only as Mr. Hong, he reportedly slipped near a crevasse after removing his safety rope to capture photos at the snowy mountaintop on September 25.
Eyewitnesses mentioned that Mr. Hong, not equipped with an ice axe, lost control and plummeted 200 meters (650 feet) down the mountain while fellow hikers watched helplessly. Video footage circulated on social media captured the moment of the fall as Mr. Hong tumbled down the 5,588-meter peak.
Despite prompt emergency response, the victim was declared deceased at the location. His body has been transferred to the nearby Gongga Mountain Town. Mr. Hong’s cousin stated that this was his first attempt to climb the mountain.
The hiker slid more than 200 meters before landing on rocky terrain at approximately 5,300 meters above sea level, as reported by Daily Goat. Authorities from the Kangding Municipal Education and Sports Bureau indicated that the hiking group had not informed about their plans or obtained necessary climbing permits.
A local official mentioned that Mr. Hong stumbled over his crampons, metal spikes affixed to hiking boots for ice walking, and highlighted that his actions violated safety regulations. The official expressed that had the crampons not been removed and the rope not been undone, the tragedy might have been averted.
The Sichuan Mountaineering Association clarified that Mr. Hong was not a professional guide, contrary to some online claims. The police have initiated an investigation into the unfortunate incident.
In a separate incident earlier this year, a tourist lost her life on a renowned rail route in Sri Lanka while leaning out of a train to take a selfie. Olga Perminova, aged 53, sustained severe head injuries after hitting a rock and passed away later in a hospital. The Russian traveler was spotted in a pink dress leaning from the train shortly before the fatal accident.
Perminova was traveling on the Podi Menike train, celebrated for its breathtaking scenery encompassing lush tea plantations, dense forests, mountainous terrains, and picturesque landscapes. Reports from local authorities indicated that she “died after falling off the train when attempting to take a selfie while hanging from the train footboard between the Badulla and Hali Ela railway stations,” resulting in severe injuries from colliding with a rock.
The train was en route to Ella, home to the famed Nine Arches Bridge, on a railway line renowned as one of the world’s most extraordinary rail journeys. Despite receiving immediate medical attention, Perminova succumbed to her head injuries. She was part of a Russian tour group visiting Sri Lanka.