Minor mistake at waterfall proves fatal: 3 girls drown while taking selfie in Andhra Pradesh

Alluri Sitarama Raju (The Uttam Hindu): A tragic incident has been reported from Alluri Sitarama Raju district, where three teenage girls drowned at the Mullungummi Waterfall. What began as a festive outing turned into a heartbreaking tragedy, reportedly due to an attempt to take a selfie. The incident highlights how the pursuit of social media moments can lead to fatal consequences.

Selfie attempt on rock turns deadly

According to reports, the incident occurred near Burja Panchayat in Hukumpeta Mandal. Five girls from Jambavalasa village had visited the waterfall during festival holidays. They were taking photos and selfie videos near the site. In an attempt to capture a different shot, three of them climbed onto a large rock. Suddenly, they lost balance after slipping and fell into the fast-flowing water.

Before people nearby could react and attempt a rescue, the strong current carried the girls away. The sudden turn of events created panic at the spot.

Bodies recovered, village in mourning

Following the incident, a rescue operation was launched by authorities, and after extensive efforts, the bodies of all three girls were recovered. The deceased have been identified as 17-year-old Trisha, 16-year-old Ratna Kumari, and 16-year-old Pavitra. The other two girls who were with them survived safely.

Police and revenue officials reached the spot soon after receiving information. The bodies were sent for postmortem, and a case has been registered for further investigation. The entire Jambavalasa village is in mourning, and the families of the victims are devastated.

Ignoring warnings leads to repeated tragedies

This incident has raised serious concerns about safety arrangements at tourist spots and waterfalls in the district. Authorities stated that despite repeated warnings, visitors often ignore safety guidelines and take risks to capture photos or videos in dangerous areas.

Local residents have expressed anger and demanded stricter safety measures, including more warning boards, strong barricading, and deployment of security personnel at popular tourist locations to prevent such incidents in the future.