World's Deadliest Waterfalls

Here is a list of some of the most remarkable waterfalls in the world that claimed the lives of some people.

1. Howick Falls: South Africa

Image Source

This falls is probably the world's deadliest waterfalls. The fascinating 95 m tall Howick Falls of South Africa is known to Zulu people as the "Place of the Tall One". There have been a recorded 40 deaths surrounding Howick falls. Most of these have been recorded as suicides but accidents and murder have also been known to occur. Despite of these tragic events, the falls has become a major tourist attraction.

2. Bash Bish Falls: Massachusetts, USA

Image Source

Beware: this waterfall, lovely indeed, is one of the deadliest in the world. The awesome 61 meters Bash Bish Falls of Massachusetts in the Taconic Mountains. This falls is the highest in Massachusettes. Based on records, more than 25 deaths have occurred on this area in the past years. Causes of deaths were due to drowning, but most were due to rock climbing or rock jumping. This is a very dangerous area as pools are shallow, and swimming is not allowed.

3. Canyon Falls: Washington, USA

Image Source

The Canyon Falls, on the North Fork Skykomish River, drop about 40 feet in three tiers. The first drop is the most powerful, plunging at about 20 ft. If you decide to see the area, be very careful because there have been many incidents of death here. Most of which are deaths that resulted because people have been swept over the falls. In the past, numerous people have died because they failed to notice in time that they were approaching the falls simply because the river is so calm above the falls. Many of those deaths were deaths of people who were floating down the river in inner tubes or rafts.

Another specific incident occurred in 1994 when a 19 year old pleaded guilty of first degree murder when he killed his friend at the falls.

4. Hamilton Falls: Vermont, USA

Image Source

This impressive waterfall in Vermont, USA with a height of 125 ft is regarded as the second deadliest waterfalls in the state in terms of fatalities. Major causes of deaths were due to the temptation to climb and scramble as there have been 12 fatalities.

5. Kegon Falls: Japan

Image Source

The 97 m tall Kegon Falls is definitely a beauty to behold. This beauty of nature is located at Lake Chuzanji in Japan. About twelve smaller waterfalls are situated behind and to the sides of Kegon Falls, leaking through the many cracks between the mountain and the lava flows.

These controversial waterfalls are infamous for suicides, especially among Japanese youth. One well-remembered incident is the case of Misao Fujimura (1886 - May 22, 1903) a Japanese philosophy student and poet. It is largely remembered due to his farewell poem directly on the trunk of a tree before committing suicide by jumping from the Kegon Falls. This particular incident led the famed scenic falls to become a notorious spot for love torn or otherwise desperate youngsters to take their lives.

6. Taquendama Falls: Colombia

Image Source

This amazingly beautiful waterfall was once a common site for suicides. The astonishing high Tequendama Falls of Bogotá is one of Colombia's major tourist attractions. It is located in a forested area where the river surges through a rocky gorge that narrows to about 60 feet (18 m) at the brink of the 515-foot or 157 meter high falls. According to a legend, during the Spanish conquest in South America, in order to escape slavery the indigenous people of the area would jump off the falls and become eagles to fly to their freedom.

7. Opaeka'a Falls: Hawaii

Image Source

The fabulous and astounding Opaeka'a Falls of Hawaii, a 151 ft tall waterfall, is not possible to climb down to where the water falls into a pool anymore. There is a steel fence that blocked the trail leading to the pool because two women fell off the rocky path in 2006. Their dead bodies were found by another two hikers 35 feet or 11 meters away from the pool.

8. Plitvice Waterfalls: Croatia

Image Source

The impressive Waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes National Park lies in the Plitvice plateau which underlain by karstic rock with associated lakes and caves has given rise to the most distinctive feature of the lakes. This breathtaking gift of nature was the site of the infamous "Plitvice Lakes incident of March 1991"

Image Source

This tragic event is known in Croatia as "Plitvice Bloody Easter". It was an incident at the beginning of the Croatian War of Independence. Two people died in the incident and contributed significantly to the worsening ethnic tensions that were to be at the heart of the subsequent war.

Image Source

The site now  contains a memorial as a symbol of the Croatian fight for freedom and homeland.

9. Moore Cove Falls: NC, USA

Image Source

The elegant Moore Cove Falls of North Carolina, USA which flows over an overhanging bluff that allows visitors to walk behind the falls is another deadly waterfall. Hikers must always exercise caution because in 2007, a hiker fell from the top of the falls and died.

10. Mitchell Falls: North Carolina, USA

Image Source

The magnificent 25 ft Mitchell Falls is located on a private property on the slope of Mt. Mitchell. This is the highest mountain in the Appalachian Mountain chain, together with the falls - they are named for Elisha Mitchell, a professor who attempted to prove the mountain was indeed the highest, when he fell over a rocky ledge above the falls to his death 1857.

Travel around the world and experience the beauty of these majestic gifts of nature with extra care and precautions.

See also

The Seven Wonder-Falls in the Philippines

Amazingly Awesome Waterfalls That Descend From Hanging Valleys