Kollur, Karnataka: The craze for creating eye-catching Instagram and Facebook reels is leading some youths to put their lives at grave risk. In a tragic incident, a 23-year-old man lost his life while attempting to film an Instagram reel at the dangerously flowing Arsinagundi waterfall in Kollur village, Udupi district, Karnataka. Even after two days of the accident, the young man’s body remains untraceable, leaving authorities and search teams frantically looking for him.
The victim, identified as Sharath Kumar from Bhadravati in Shivamogga district, had embarked on a trip with his friends to Kollur village on a Sunday morning. Their destination was the mesmerizing Arasinagundi waterfall, situated about 6 km away from the village. However, the waterfall’s water levels were perilously high due to the ongoing monsoon season.
VIDEO | A man died in Karnataka's Udupi after falling into an overflowing waterfall. pic.twitter.com/gP1q1L6EG7
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 24, 2023
Tragically, Sharath decided to take a risk for the sake of social media content. He requested his friend to film a video with his mobile phone while he posed on the edge of the dangerous waterfall. In the video that has now gone viral, Sharath is seen standing on a rock near the waterfall, facing the camera. As he turns around slowly, he loses his balance and slips, plunging into the fiercely flowing water with a deafening roar. The video captures the horrifying moment when he disappears beneath the water’s surface.
Sharath’s friend immediately informed the Udupi police about the tragic accident. The police, along with emergency services teams, rushed to the scene to initiate a search operation. Despite extensive efforts, they have been unable to find any trace of the young man. The search operation, which began on Sunday and continued on Monday, extended into late night hours, but Sharath’s body remained elusive. On Tuesday, the police continued their search operation in hopes of locating the deceased.
As the video of the accident circulates on social media, people express deep regret and frustration over the recklessness displayed by Sharath. Many users criticize the dangerous trend of risking lives for the sake of viral content. The incident serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of caution and safety, especially when dealing with natural landscapes during the monsoon season.
While the tragedy is a stark warning about the perils of seeking social media fame at any cost, it also serves as a somber moment of reflection on the fragility and preciousness of life. The incident has evoked sympathy and condolences from the online community, extending their thoughts and prayers to Sharath’s grieving family during this heartbreaking time.