Horrifying footage has emerged showing the tragic moment three Indian teenagers slipped from rocks at a waterfall and drowned. The girls, all believed to be between 16 and 17 years old, were playing and laughing while being filmed from the bank when they lost their footing and drifted into deeper water.
The Tragic Incident at Mulagummi Waterfall
The heartbreaking tragedy occurred on Thursday at the Mulagummi waterfall, a forested area close to Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh state, as reported by India Today. The deceased have been identified in the Indian press as Trisha, 17, Ratna Kumari, 16, and Pavitra, 16. There were also reports of a fourth girl being rescued, though she does not appear in the clip that has been made available online.
Social Media Footage Reveals Chilling Details
The footage, which was posted on social media, shows the girls paddling and affectionately wrestling one another close to the water's edge. One of the girls, dressed in pink, loses her footing on the slippery rocks and falls backwards into deeper water. Another teenager, wearing black, is able to clamber back onto the rocks, laughing for the camera, initially unaware of her friends floundering in the water behind her.
The video captures the three girls playing and laughing in shallow water while being filmed from the bank. Two of the girls can be seen drifting out into deeper water, with all three reportedly unable to swim. The girl who climbed back onto the rocks then turns around to see both of the other girls in danger and wades back in to attempt to retrieve them.
Desperate Rescue Attempt Turns Fatal
Tragically, all three teens' heads slip beneath the surface as the person filming the scene places her phone down and can be heard screaming for help. Local officials confirmed that none of the three girls were able to swim. According to NDTV, locals rushed to save the young women but they were swept away by the current.
Aftermath and Investigation
The bodies were taken away by police for a postmortem examination, and an inquiry is said to be underway. The four girls were all from Jambuvalasa village in Hukumpeta and had gone on an outing to take pictures at the waterfall, according to Indian media reports. Andhra Pradesh police have been contacted for comment regarding this devastating incident.
This tragic event serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers that can be present at natural water features, particularly when combined with slippery conditions and lack of swimming ability. The footage circulating online has sparked widespread concern and discussion about water safety measures in popular recreational areas.
