September 25, 2024 | Jesse Singer

The Most Dangerous Selfie Spots In The World


Look At Me

Selfies were a thing in the '90s, (particularly in Asian countries) but it wasn't until the 21st century that selfie culture really took off in the rest of the world. Now, with selfie sticks and front facing cameras, the world is our selfie oyster. But some oysters are safer than others. These are some of the most dangerous selfie spots around the globe.

The Running Of The Bulls: Pamplona, Spain

The yearly running of the bulls in Pamplona is on many people's bucket lists. But if one isn't careful, it could literally be the thing that initiates the bucket part. Running through the streets being chased by ferocious bulls with sharp horns is dangerous enough, and people get hurt all the time without stopping to take a photo. However, the selfie has led to a few horrific outcomes as well.

Bull runningJim Hollander, CC BY-SA 4.0,Wikimedia Commons

The Running Of The Bulls: Pamplona, Spain

In 2019, an American man who had just finished the race tried to memorialize the experience with a selfie when he was gored in the neck by a bull. Thankfully, they got him to the hospital in time and after two hours in surgery, his life was saved. Unfortunately, four years earlier, a man at a bull run in another Spanish town had perished when he tried to take a selfie.

Bull Carlesmari, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Trolltunga Rock: Norway

Trolltunga, which translates to "troll's tongue", is a large rock that—like a tongue—sticks out over the famous Norwegian fjords. With its flat surface, the temptation to walk out and look over the beauty in front and below is probably palpable. As is the temptation to take a selfie. Especially since the rock has been described by some as the best place in the world for selfies. Also known as "selfie rock," this troll's tongue used to get about 500 visitors a year, but has seen that number rise to 40,000.

TrolltungaSteinar Talmoen, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Trolltunga Rock: Norway

In 2015, an exchange student from Australia was setting up to take a group selfie with some friends when her foot slipped and she fell to her doom. It isn't just the tip of the tongue that can be dangerous either. The walks up to the tongue can be tiring and treacherous as well. But speaking of dangerous walks, there might not be one any more dangerous than our next location.

Tourist At The Tip Of TrolltungaFrankemann, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Mount Huashan, China

You don't have to come in contact with pirates to walk a plank. The perilous trek up the more than 7,000 feet of Mount Huashan's elevation in China is a literal plank walk that has been called the most dangerous hike in the world. With that in mind, it would make sense to us that keeping all of one's focus on the hike, rather than trying to snap a cool selfie, is the way to go. But unfortunately, not everyone has agreed with that over the years.

Huashan Mountainlukehasnotenough, Flickr

Mount Huashan, China

The Chinese government isn't very forthcoming about how many lives have been lost on the mountain (because of selfies or otherwise). However, one incident we are aware of took place in 2019, when a college student was making her way along the planks, posting selfies in real time—until the selfies stopped. Sadly, she was later found to have taken a fatal fall after disregarding safety warnings and railings

Huashan Mountaintefl Search, Flickr

Machu Picchu: Peru

The Incan ruins of Machu Picchu are a must see—and as amazing as they look in photographs, they are even more so in person. So, again, we get the draw of taking a selfie with said ruins behind you. But again, as is the case with many of these locations....please, watch your step. Remember that these are ancient ruins, which means they've been there for a very, very long time. That also means the stairs and walkways are well-worn and, throw in the high elevation, often covered with a wet layer of mist that makes them kinda slippery.

Machu PicchuPedro Szekely, Flickr

Machu Picchu: Peru

A few years back, a German tourist at the ruins was using a drone to take what is called a "flying selfie". Sadly, he was concentrating too much on controlling the drone and not his feet and he slipped and plummeted 100 feet down

 Machu PicchuFrank_am_Main, Flickr

Tour De France: France

It's the most iconic bicycle race in the world, and every year thousands upon thousands of fans line the streets to get a glimpse of the amazing cyclists as they race by. But if you've watched the Tour de France before, you know it isn't all wide Champs-Élysées-sized avenues. Much of the race takes place on more narrow roads—made even narrower by the encroaching fans on either side. See where we're going with this?

Tour de FranceDripps, Flickr

Tour De France: France

For some fans, just watching the athletes go by—or even getting a photograph of them going by—isn't enough. It's almost like it doesn't count unless they get a photograph of themselves in there as well. Which means turning one's back on the race. As one racer put it on Twitter: "Standing [in] the middle of the road with [your] back turned while 200 cyclists come at you, just to take a selfie. #think".

Tour de FrancePierreG_09, Flickr

Cabo Da Roca: Portugal

Just over 26 miles from Lisbon, at the westernmost point of mainland Portugal, you'll find Cabo da Roca. The rocky cliffs, the ocean views, the 250 year old lighthouse....it's not hard to see why this place is a selfie hotspot. And if you stay on the paths and behind the barriers, you should be able to enjoy the view and get some nice shots—selfie and otherwise. But not everyone does...

Cabo Da Roca - Cape RocaVvlasenko, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Cabo Da Roca: Portugal

In 2014, a couple who had warned their young children about staying behind the barrier didn't take their own advice and fell to their deaths after going beyond said barrier to take a selfie.

Cabo da RocaCarla Cometto, Flickr

The Grand Canyon: USA

It's one of the natural wonders of the world and as such, the Grand Canyon is a major tourist attraction and a hotbed for naturalists, hikers and, of course, for selfie-taking. It seems like every step you take in and around the canyon offers up another amazing view and vista that would look awesome in the background of your self-portrait. But there's something else to notice as you hike around this worldly wonder....There are a lot of spots without railings and/or safety barriers of any kind.

Grand CanyonTuxyso, Wikimedia Commons

The Grand Canyon: USA

It's been reported that estimates put the number of Grand Canyon deaths at about 12 every year, and at over 750 since they started keeping such records. We don't know how many are selfie-related, but it wasn't too long ago that a woman taking a photo with some hiking friends fell right off the cliff.

Grand Canyon Horse Shoe BendChristian Mehlführer, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons

Train Tracks: Everywhere

Do we really have to tell anyone that taking a selfie on a train track is a bad, dangerous, and stupid idea? Obviously, it's not just the train tracks though, right? Unfortunately, for many people, the whole point of taking a selfie on train tracks is to get the oncoming train in the shot. But as fast as your selfie finger is, trains are often much faster.

Man Standing on Train TracksUnsplash, Freerangestock

Train Tracks: Everywhere

There are sadly too many train track selfie deaths to mention them all here. But one of the saddest involved three teen girls in Utah who found themselves sandwiched between two oncoming trains while trying to get a good selfie on the tracks. They got the shot with all of them in frame and the train's lights approaching in the distance, but all three of them were also struck by the trains.

train stationMattsjc, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

El Tatio: Chile

Located in the Andes Mountains, El Tatio is the third-largest geyser field in the world and, as such, a major tourist destination. The name "El Tatio" has a number of different meanings associated with it—one of them being "oven". So, needless to say, the geysers are very hot. Which one woman found out firsthand.

El TatioDiego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

El Tatio: Chile

In October of 2015, a 68-year-old woman from Belgium was at El Tatio and as she tried to take a selfie in front of one of the geysers, she took one too many steps backwards—right into the burning water. She had burns over 85% of her body and perished in the hospital.

El TatioClaudius Prößer, Flickr

Victoria Falls: Zambia/Zimbabwe

Located between Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls are a spectacle to behold. Think Niagara Falls but a lot bigger. The beauty and power of nature combine in these 5,604-feet wide falls that millions of tourists flock to each year to see in person and then prove they saw it in person by getting a selfie. However, whenever we talk about rocks and water and great heights, we must also talk about the inherent dangers of that combination, something that more than a few people have come face to face with, never to be seen again.

Victoria FallsThomas Hawk, Flickr

Victoria Falls: Zambia/Zimbabwe

Like Roy George Tinashe Dikinya who, back in 2021, was trying to get that perfect selfie when he slipped and fell over 300 feet into the gorge below—swallowed up by the powerful water of the falls.

Victoria FallsDiego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Mount Everest: Tibet

With an elevation of 29,031.7 feet, Mount Everest is the highest mountain peak above sea level. The summit was first reached in 1953, by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, and the hike up this mountain has just continued to grow in popularity over the decades since. In that time, over 300 people have perished on the mountain with more than 200 of the bodies still there. For many people, the ascent up Mount Everest is a once-in-a-lifetime experience—and one that must be memorialized in a selfie.

Mount Everest Luca Galuzzi, CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons

Mount Everest: Tibet

It's gotten so bad that you could find yourself waiting amongst a crowd of climbers for your turn to take that coveted selfie. The wind, the weather, the altitude—they all combine to make the climb up Everest a challenge, even for the best climbers in the world. With that in mind, any energy devoted towards selfie-taking could have dire consequences.

Mount EverestGöran Höglund (Kartläsarn), Flickr

Kīlauea: Hawaii

Kīlauea is an active shield volcano between 210,000 and 280,000 years old. It is one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, with the last eruption occurring on June 3, 2024. Even Dr Evil recognizes the dangers of volcanoes and liquid hot magma, but that hasn't stopped people from trying to get a hot selfie with flowing lava around them.

Kilauea U.S. Geological Survey, Flickr

Kīlauea: Hawaii

When not erupting, the danger levels are lower, but when Kīlauea is doing its thing, taking a volcano selfie is an eruption in pure idiocy. With the recent eruption, police had to set up roadblocks in an attempt to keep people from getting too close for that perfect selfie. Although, many just headed into the sea and onto boats where the lava was flowing into the water.

Kilauea volcanoKirk K, Flickr

Plitvice Lakes National Park: Croatia

Founded in 1949, Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the largest national parks in Croatia and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1979. There are lakes and caves and waterfalls and as you walk around, you can truly get lost in the fantastical beauty of your surroundings. But you can also lose your life if you aren't careful.

Plitvice LakesArtem Kavalerov, CC0, Wikimedia Commons

Plitvice Lakes National Park: Croatia

In 2015 and 2016, people fell hundreds of feet while trying to snap a selfie. The incident in 2015 ended in death while the tourist in 2016 was only saved because they hit a branch on the way down that broke their fall. Park officials tweeted this out: "Stop taking stupid and dangerous selfies. Thank you".

Plitvice Lakes Suicasmo, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Lion Rock: Hong Kong

We wouldn't recommend taking a selfie with an actual lion, but a lion-shaped rock can be dangerous as well. Lion Rock is a granite rock that resembles a crouching tiger and rests at an elevation some 1,600 feet high. People can hike up a winding forest path that leads to the head of the lion, but the hike alone can be treacherous, let alone the footing atop the lion.

Lion RockDaniel Tam, Flickr

Lion Rock: Hong Kong

There have been multiple deaths on the trail and the rock with more than a few people slipping and falling off the head. One incident that occurred in March of 2016 involved a man attempting to get a selfie atop the rock. He lost his footing and fell over 1,200 feet.

Lion rock hill, Hong Kongadai chang, Flickr

Mumbai: India

Yes, the entire city of Mumbai. Social media is huge in India and it's been reported that the country accounts for about 40% of all the selfie-related deaths in the world. With that in mind, city officials took matters into their own hands and passed some strict regulations.

MumbaiNicolas Vigier, Flickr

Mumbai: India

There are now 16 "no selfie" zones throughout the city—from rocky cliffs to dangerous beaches. The new laws were put into place in 2016, following the sad demise of an 18-year-old girl who drowned while taking a selfie in the ocean.

Mumbai Nicolas Vigier, Flickr


READ MORE

travel on a budget

Four Key Tips For Traveling On A Budget

If you’re looking to get away but think you can’t afford it, think again. Here are some tips to help you travel on a budget.
July 3, 2023 Kaddy Gibson
internal

Four Tips For A Successful Vacation

Vacations are great but it’s also easy for them to turn stressful. Keep these travel tips in mind to get the most out of your next adventure.
July 7, 2023 Kaddy Gibson
Camping

Tips For Camping In Comfort

Camping is a great way to get closer to mother nature, but it can also get really uncomfortable. Stay cozy with these tips in mind.
July 5, 2023 Kaddy Gibson

Top Three Hotels For Adventurers

If you’re looking for unique thrills, an average hotel just won’t cut it. For an unforgettable vacation, check out one of these amazing adventure hotels.
June 13, 2023 Kaddy Gibson
Gros Morne National Park

Five Incredible Destinations For Nature Lovers

If you’re looking to embrace the call of the wild and experience breathtaking views, check out these great nature destinations.
June 13, 2023 Kaddy Gibson
internal

Five Must-Have Travel Accessories

If you're going on a trip, there are some things that you should pack with you every time. You can’t go wrong with these must-have travel accessories.
July 6, 2023 Kaddy Gibson