Watch: Hiker falls to death after untying safety rope for selfie in China

New Delhi,UPDATED: Oct 7, 2025 02:07 IST

A 31-year-old hiker has died in a tragic fall on Mount Nama in China’s Sichuan province after reportedly untying his safety rope to take photos near the summit.

The man, identified only by his surname Hong, was part of a hiking group scaling the 5,588-metre peak on September 25 when he stepped close to a crevasse for pictures. According to witnesses, he had removed his safety line and wasn’t using an ice axe when he suddenly slipped on the snow-covered slope.

As others watched in horror, Hong lost control and slid nearly 200 metres down the icy mountainside. A video that surfaced online shows the moment he vanished over the edge.

Videos circulating on Chinese social media show the terrifying moment he slipped and disappeared down the mountainside. Rescue teams rushed to the scene but confirmed Hong was already dead when they reached him. His body was later transported to nearby Gongga Mountain Town.

Hong’s cousin told local media it was his first attempt at climbing the mountain. He had reportedly undone his safety rope to help others take pictures, only to trip moments later -- possibly over his own crampons, the metal spikes attached to boots for walking on ice.

AUTHORITIES SAY GROUP VIOLATED SAFETY RULES

Local officials said Hong’s group had not obtained the required climbing permits or informed authorities of their expedition plans. The Kangding Municipal Education and Sports Bureau said the group also breached basic safety rules. "If the crampons had not been removed and the rope had not been undone, this might not have happened," one official told The Sun.

The Sichuan Mountaineering Association clarified that, contrary to claims circulating online, Hong was not a professional mountain guide. He held only a climbing assistant’s certificate and occasionally led hikes.

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