On July 22, 2024, a tragic accident occurred at the Sinywa Waterfall in Paung, Mon state, Myanmar. Moe Sa Nay, a 14-year-old TikTok influencer with a following of 150,000, lost her life while trying to take selfies. Nay slipped on slick rocks and was caught in the fast-moving water.

The incident happened as Nay was taking photos with her friends. After she slipped, the strong current swept her downstream, where she became lodged between two large rocks and drowned. Her friends, who witnessed the accident, were unable to save her due to the powerful water flow.

Rescue teams were immediately alerted and made efforts to recover Nay’s body. However, it wasn’t until the next morning that they were able to retrieve her from the rocky trap. Video footage of the rescue showed the challenge faced by volunteers and firefighters as they used ropes tied to her hands to pull Nay’s body from the narrow space. Another friend who also slipped and fell into the water was rescued with only minor injuries.

Nay’s remains were transported to Paung Township General Hospital for an autopsy. Her friend, who fell but sustained only minor injuries, was lucky to have survived.

The unfortunate incident at Sinywa is not the first of its kind. In 2019, a similar accident claimed the lives of two 19-year-old women at Taw Naw Waterfall in Kayin, southeast Myanmar. As reported by media outlets, the women fell about 196 feet to their deaths while taking photos at the top of the waterfall.

Research conducted by the University of New South Wales in Australia indicates that selfie-taking has evolved into a significant public health issue. The study reviewed global incidents and found that nearly 400 deaths within a 13-year period were attributed to selfie-related accidents. The majority of these victims were young female tourists in their early 20s, with falls and drownings identified as the primary causes.

Dr. Samuel Cornell, a risk analysis specialist who contributed to the study, suggested that selfie-related incidents should be considered a public health concern that necessitates a response. He noted a lack of adequate focus on prevention methods, including behavioral changes and direct communication with app users.

The research indicated that measures such as “no selfie zones,” physical barriers, and warning signs are not sufficient to prevent accidents. Instead, the study stressed the importance of direct safety messaging to social media users to increase awareness of the risks associated with taking selfies in dangerous locations.

“It’s an unhealthy extension of our celebrity culture and social media pressures,” commented Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel from NYU Langone, who was not part of the study.

The perils of selfies are not only physical but also psychological. The pressure to take the perfect photo can lead to risky behavior and a disconnect from reality. The research recommended that social media platforms incorporate software to alert users of potential hazards when attempting to take selfies in perilous areas.