A 24-year-old student has tragically died after plunging more than 330 feet from a cliff while attempting to take photographs at a popular tourist lookout in Russia.
The fatal incident happened near the White Cliffs in the Irkutsk region close to the city of Usolye-Sibirskoye, according to Russian authorities.
Investigators said the woman had been hiking in the area on Sunday and was standing on a rocky ledge taking pictures before disaster struck.
While attempting to climb back down, the ground beneath her reportedly collapsed, causing her to lose footing and fall from the cliff edge.
The victim suffered severe injuries from the massive fall and later died inside an ambulance while being transported to hospital.
A regional branch of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Authorities are currently interviewing witnesses and deciding whether a criminal case will be opened.
The White Cliffs area near the Belaya River is known as a popular tourist destination, attracting hikers and photographers seeking scenic views.
The heartbreaking incident has once again raised concerns over safety at cliffside tourist attractions and dangerous photo-taking behaviour at scenic locations.
Russia has recorded several similar fatal falls in recent years involving tourists and hikers in mountainous regions and viewing platforms.
In April, a resident in Sochi reportedly died after falling from a cliffside viewing platform, while another 24-year-old woman lost her life inside Dragon’s Mouth Cave near Adler during a climbing incident.
Last year, a 21-year-old tourist also died near Lake Baikal after reportedly attempting to jump across a mountain crevice.
The tragedy comes amid growing global concern over dangerous tourism stunts and risky social media photo culture, which has contributed to a rising number of fatal accidents worldwide.
