Recently, Inessa Polenko, hailing from Sochi, Russia, met a grim fate as she admired the serene vista from the Gagry viewpoint in Abkhazia, Georgia, overseeing the Black Sea.
The 39-year-old beautician, an avid Instagram user with 9,000 followers, often documented her global travels through selfies.
Regrettably, Polenko's quest for the perfect shot led her to breach a safety barrier, culminating in a disastrous fall.
Auto Draft Witnesses recounted the harrowing moment when Polenko stumbled and plummeted 170 feet to the shore below.
Tragic footage circulating on social media captured her lifeless form on the beach.
Despite swift medical response, Polenko succumbed to her injuries, and her death was confirmed at a local medical facility.
Her funeral took place on April 9 in Sochi, and authorities have initiated an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her untimely passing.
Coinciding with this tragedy, recent research highlights the risks associated with selfie-taking, suggesting it may pose a significant public health concern.
A study conducted in Australia revealed over 400 incidents of selfie-related injuries and fatalities since 2008, predominantly affecting young women. Falls and drownings emerged as the primary causes of these unfortunate events.
Auto Draft Experts are calling for social media platforms to alert users to potential hazards.
Dr. Samuel Cornell, a risk specialist at the University of New South Wales, emphasized in his report: "The selfie-related incident phenomenon should be viewed as a public health problem that requires a public health response."
"To date, little attention has been paid to averting selfie-related incidents through behavior change methodologies or direct messaging to users through apps."
"Although previous research has recommended 'no selfie zones,' barriers and signage as ways to prevent selfie incidents, our results suggest this may not be enough."
"It may be prudent to also engage in direct safety messaging to social media users."
In December of the previous year, tragedy struck when a Singaporean tourist was capturing photos in New York's Hudson Valley and tragically fell 70 feet to her demise.
Nur Aisyah Binte MD Akbar, aged 39, was standing on the edge of a cliff at Minnewaska State Park when she reportedly 'lost her footing.'
Following the incident, her husband alerted emergency services, and Nur was transported to Ellenville Regional Hospital in Ulster County, where she was later declared deceased.
