On Monday, July 22, 14-year-old TikTok star Moe Sa Nay tragically fell to her death while attempting to take a selfie at the Sinywa Waterfall in Mon State, Myanmar. Moe and a friend were visiting the waterfall in the town of Paung when the accident occurred. Both girls fell, but while Moe’s friend managed to drift to land with minor injuries, Moe was not so fortunate.
Tragically, Moe became trapped between two large boulders in the water as the current intensified, ultimately leading to her drowning. Her body remained wedged between the rocks overnight, as first responders were unable to retrieve it on the day of her death. It wasn’t until the following day that authorities were able to dislodge her remains by tying ropes around her wrists and pulling her out.
Mon Zaw, a rescue worker involved in the recovery, explained the circumstances surrounding her death: “The one who slipped reached the bottom but died after getting stuck between the rocks. She died because she couldn’t get out. They tried to rescue her but couldn’t pull her out. Then the aid organizations and officials came.”
Moe Sa Nay’s untimely death has sent shockwaves through her TikTok community, where her followers have been sharing condolences and expressing their grief. Her posts have been flooded with comments mourning her loss and emphasizing the importance of being cautious. One user poignantly noted, “It’s so heartbreaking to hear about this loss. Life is precious, be careful,” while another added, “May her soul rest in peace.”
This tragic incident has also reignited conversations about the dangers associated with social media stunts and challenges. Many users have voiced anger and frustration over the increasing trend of influencers risking their lives for the sake of gaining likes and followers. Moe Sa Nay’s death is reminiscent of other tragic incidents where young people have suffered fatal accidents while attempting dangerous trends on TikTok.
In a related incident, an 11-year-old boy died in March after participating in TikTok’s “chroming” challenge, which involves inhaling toxic chemicals to get high. Following his death, the boy’s family called for TikTok to be banned to protect young people from engaging in such dangerous activities.
Moe Sa Nay’s death serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with social media fame and the often overlooked dangers of seemingly innocent activities like taking selfies in hazardous locations. As her followers continue to mourn her passing, the broader TikTok community is left to reflect on the importance of prioritizing safety over social media popularity.
