A photograph taken at Gullfoss waterfall has been making the rounds in Icelandic media after, prompting a conversation about how to ensure the safety of visitors at one of Iceland's most popular tourist destinations. All major media outlets have covered the incidence, as it is seen as illustrating an immediate and serious issue.
One misstep from a terrible accident
The photo, which was taken by an Icelandic woman who lives in Norway, shows a foreign traveller having climbed down the steep cliffs next to the waterfall to get a better shot of the waterfall. The woman was in grave and immediate danger during the senseless endeavour.
Sunna Lind told the local news site Vísir that she didn't believe her eyes when she saw that someone had climbed down the cliffs below the viewing spot next to the top of the waterfall. But she was also shocked at the indifference shown by other travellers:
It was as if none of them cared. But then again there were only tourists there, and no guards or guides, and I think the people simply didn't realize how dangerous the activity was.
She told Vísir the woman had far more trouble getting back up the cliffs than climbing down:
Had she made one misstep or lost her balance she would have plunged into the waterfall.
Sunna Lind told Vísir that she hoped that by drawing attention to the incident she could raise awareness of the conditions by the waterfall, and the importance of ensuring visitors who seem impervious to the dangers stay safe:
If the security isn't improved and more guards posted, we should at least put up better signs, alerting people to the dangers.
A photograph taken at Gullfoss waterfall has been making the rounds in Icelandic media after, prompting a conversation about how to ensure the safety of visitors at one of Iceland's most popular tourist destinations. All major media outlets have covered the incidence, as it is seen as illustrating an immediate and serious issue.
One misstep from a terrible accident
The photo, which was taken by an Icelandic woman who lives in Norway, shows a foreign traveller having climbed down the steep cliffs next to the waterfall to get a better shot of the waterfall. The woman was in grave and immediate danger during the senseless endeavour.
Sunna Lind told the local news site Vísir that she didn't believe her eyes when she saw that someone had climbed down the cliffs below the viewing spot next to the top of the waterfall. But she was also shocked at the indifference shown by other travellers:
It was as if none of them cared. But then again there were only tourists there, and no guards or guides, and I think the people simply didn't realize how dangerous the activity was.
She told Vísir the woman had far more trouble getting back up the cliffs than climbing down:
Had she made one misstep or lost her balance she would have plunged into the waterfall.
Sunna Lind told Vísir that she hoped that by drawing attention to the incident she could raise awareness of the conditions by the waterfall, and the importance of ensuring visitors who seem impervious to the dangers stay safe:
If the security isn't improved and more guards posted, we should at least put up better signs, alerting people to the dangers.
