Tourist Dies While Taking a Selfie at Popular Waterfall

Visitors are being advised to use extra caution when exploring remote parts of Bali.

An Italian couple fell more than 80 feet while taking a selfie at a popular waterfall in Bali, Indonesia over the weekend, leading to the death of a 49-year-old man. Though his girlfriend survived the drop, the incident is being seen as a cautionary tale for tourists to use extra care when visiting remote sports on the island.

Giancarlo Zicari, an engineer from Rome, and his girlfriend, Ilaria Biagi, 25, had been posing from a viewing terrace at the top of Gajah Mas waterfalls around 11:30 a.m. on Sunday when the incident occurred. The platform had two wooden seats next to an iron railing, and they had been reportedly leaning against the railing when it suddenly gave way.

According to the Bali Sun, the couple had been staying at the Homm Saranam Hotel in the Bedugul Highlands but had taken a day trip to the hike in the area around the waterfall. Biagi managed to survive the fall, sustaining a suspected mild head injury and abrasions to her body, and was able to climb back to the top of the waterfall to look for help.

Iptu I Nyoman Berata, head of Tabanan Police Public Relations, later confirmed to reporters that Zicari had died at the scene.

"The victim was taken to Prof. Ngoerah Hospital, and his family refused to have an autopsy performed," Berata said. "Before being taken to Prof Ngoerah General Hospital, the victim received an external examination from the Baturiti Community Health Center."

Local authorities and community officials declined to comment on the condition of the platform or railing, nor has a statement been issued on any apparent liability.

However, Zicari's death was preceded by another tragic incident last month in which a 17-year-old Chinese tourist sustained serious head and neck injuries after attempting to descend down a treacherous cliffside hiking trail on the island. As such, tourists are being reminded to exhibit caution when visiting the remote natural attractions of Bali. This includes any railings, fences, rope handholds, or any other so-called "safety" apparatuses in both the forest and on the coast.