Pune Woman Rescued After Falling into Gorge While Taking Selfie: A Cautionary Tale
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/5th August 2024
A 29-year-old woman from Pune was rescued after falling into a 60-foot deep gorge while attempting to take a selfie at Borane Ghat in Maharashtra. Nasreen Amir Qureshi, who was visiting the area with friends to see the Thoseghar waterfalls, slipped from the edge while trying to capture the moment. The dramatic rescue operation, involving Home Guard personnel and local residents, was captured on video and has since gone viral.
The incident occurred on a day when the local administration had restricted access to the Thoseghar waterfalls due to severe weather conditions. Despite the closure, Nasreen and her group chose to visit Borane Ghat, a popular mountain pass in the region. As they were taking photos, Nasreen lost her footing and fell into the gorge.
The video of the fall, which shows Nasreen slipping and then being hoisted up by rescuers using a rope, has sparked widespread discussion on social media. Many netizens have questioned the necessity of taking selfies in such dangerous conditions and have criticized her for crying during the rescue, suggesting that she was more concerned with her appearance in the video than her safety.
Fortunately, Nasreen was successfully rescued and taken to a nearby hospital where she is reported to be in stable condition. The rescue operation was conducted swiftly by local authorities and Home Guard staff who responded to the emergency call made by her friends.
This incident echoes a similar tragedy that occurred two weeks prior, where a 27-year-old woman named Aanvi Kamdar fell to her death from a hillock near Kumbhe waterfall while filming a video for Instagram. Aanvi’s fall was recorded at a staggering 350 feet, and despite extensive rescue efforts, she was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. These incidents highlight a growing trend of selfie-related accidents, which have become increasingly common worldwide.
According to a study published in the Journal of Travel Medicine, there have been 379 selfie-related deaths globally between 2008 and 2021, with India recording the highest number of such fatalities, followed by the United States and Russia. This alarming statistic underscores the need for increased awareness and caution when engaging in activities that involve taking selfies, especially in hazardous environments.
As the debate continues over Nasreen’s actions and the video of her rescue, it serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with capturing moments on camera in unsafe conditions. The focus should ideally shift towards ensuring personal safety and respecting local advisories rather than prioritizing social media visibility.
