A popular Instagram travel influencer, Aanvi Kamdar, has died in a tragic accident while making a video at a waterfall in India. The 27-year-old fell 90 metres into a deep gorge at Kumbhe waterfall, about 129 km from Mumbai.
Kamdar, who had over 318,000 Instagram followers on her account @theglocaljournal, was known for her content for travelling around South Asia during the monsoon season. She was with seven friends when she slipped on wet rocks while filming for Instagram.
It took rescuers six hours to reach Kamdar due to the heavy rain and dangerous terrain. Despite their efforts, she died from her injuries at a nearby hospital.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with creating content in potentially hazardous locations, especially during India's monsoon season. Local authorities have urged tourists to exercise extreme caution when visiting such sites during rainy conditions.
For travel agents, this accident is an important reminder to prioritise client safety when recommending trips to places with dangerous terrain. Earlier this year, in April, a Chinese tourist fell to her death from the top of Indonesia's Ijen volcano while attempting to take a photo and accidentally stepped backward off the cliff.
As social media continues to shape travel trends, the travel industry may need to think about how to balance exciting experiences with keeping travellers safe. Travel professionals should consider this when planning trips for clients who want unique, Instagram-worthy moments.