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Terrifying moment tourists are swept away by sudden flood at Thai waterfall
Tourists scramble to escape strong currents after water rapidly rises at Mae Sa Waterfall in Chiang Mai
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Desperate tourists were caught on video clinging to one another for dear life as they were swept downstream by raging water during a flash flood at a waterfall in Thailand
The incident happened at Mae Sa Waterfall in Chiang Mai Aug. 15, when tourists ventured onto rocks in the water at Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
Video shows rushing water surrounding the group as the tourists struggled against the strong current and tried to help one another
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Several people held onto each other and attempted to stay on their feet before some were swept downstream by the force of the water
One tourist is seen struggling to make his way through the water as others scream for help
A tourist, shown above, struggles to stay above the water as the relentless current from the waterfall drags him downstream.(Viral Press)
Park rangers later helped bring the group to safety. The tourists reportedly suffered only minor scratches and were given first aid
Witness Arttie Martin told Viral Press he had been preparing to enter the water himself to take a photo when he heard a park officer blow a whistle moments before the flash flood struck
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“It was truly a matter of split seconds,” Martin said
“I was just about to take off my shoes and walk into the middle to follow the foreigners and take a photo of the waterfall,” he added
The incident happened at Mae Sa Waterfall in Chiang Mai Aug. 15, when tourists ventured onto rocks in the water at Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.(Viral Press)
Martin said he shared footage of the frightening incident as a warning to other travelers about how quickly conditions can become dangerous around waterfalls during Thailand’s rainy season
“Especially during the rainy season, when visiting waterfalls, you should exercise extra caution, observe warning signs and instructions from staff and continuously monitor the color, level and current speed of the water, as conditions can change extremely quickly,” he said
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Access to Mae Sa Waterfall remained restricted after the flash flood
Fox News Digital previously reported on another dangerous encounter at a waterfall when a tourist climbed over a safety barrier and entered the water above Iguazu Falls in Brazil to retrieve a cellphone
The tourists, pictured above, during their terrifying ordeal. (Viral Press)
Video of the incident showed the man lowering himself into the river just yards from the falls, where fast-moving water flows toward steep drops
He recovered the phone and returned to the walkway without injury before being escorted from the site by firefighters
The incident was one of several risky encounters reported at Iguazu Falls this year, including a tourist who crossed protective barriers to retrieve a hat and another visitor who was recorded lifting a baby over a safety barrier near a viewpoint
