Tourist stuck in Thailand during pandemic falls 50ft to his death while taking selfies at waterfall

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

Find out moreClose

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

An Uzbekistani tourist has died after falling off the edge of a 50-feet waterfall in southern Thailand while taking a selfie, officials have said.

Soipov Abdullokh, 22, had been hiking through Ngao Waterfall National Park in Ranong province with six friends on Saturday morning when the accident took place, according to the Chiang Rai Times.

The backpacker, who was stuck in Thailand due to the coronavirus pandemic, allegedly ignored warning signs not to stand at the top of waterfalls as he tried to take a photo in the national park. 

He slipped on the wet rocks and plunged some 50 feet to his death.

Paramedics arrived at the scene about two hours later to find his body on the jagged rocks below the waterfall, with a deep wound to his head. 

The 22-year-old was declared dead at the scene and his body was transported to  the Ranong Hospital for a post-mortem examination. 

Chalit Sinrojthanakorn, head government officer for the national park, said Mr Abdullokh had ignored warnings not approach the edge of the waterfall due to its slippery surface. 

He said: “As soon as we received the call we immediately co-ordinated with the rescue foundation and the police.

“The young foreign tourist and his friends rented motorbikes and travelled from Phuket to view the beautiful scenery.

“The deceased walked off the path set out by authorities to climb the waterfall. He then slipped on a rock and fell. His body crashed against the rocks below and he was bleeding through the mouth and nose. The death was very quick.”