Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
User submission
10.5K
Influencers Are Falling Ill After Mistaking Toxic Waste Dump For Gorgeous Blue Lake
It’s Darwin Awards time again! This edition comes from the beautiful region of Galicia in the northwest of Spain, where the Instagram generation have recently discovered a spectacular azure lake; one that makes a perfect background for showing off their figure.
RELATED:
Image credits: sarahgerpe
Beautiful, isn’t it? There’s just one problem. The ‘lake’ is actually a disused tungsten mine, and the vivid colors actually signify chemical contamination.
Image credits: shutterstock
This hasn’t stopped some people entering the water, however, leading to hospitalizations for skin rashes and stomach problems.
One influencer who entered the toxic water suffered an allergic reaction for two weeks, telling a local newspaper that things were “a little bad, yes, but the photo was worth it.”
Image credits: lastronik
The site, known as Monte Neme, was originally mined during World War 2 and has been left abandoned for decades. People’s renewed interest was piqued by some irresponsible promotion by the region’s tourism board.
“This is a mining landscape, which is devastated and unrestored but Galicia used it to promote tourism in the region as if it were an idyllic landscape,” Ramón Varela, environmental journalist and spokesperson for Salvemos Cabana, an association for the protection of natural and cultural heritage in the area, told Euronews.
Image credits: lyliseyes
“At the weekend, it’s a kind of pilgrimage and it’s a dangerous place because it’s a landscape caused by industrial liquids,” says Varela. “On the one hand, it is an area that’s easy to access and, on the other, the slopes are risky, reaching heights up to 30 meters.”
Image credits: izzyandtai
Image credits: lorena_qp
Salvemos Cabana is now lobbying the regional government to limit access to the lake, and provide clearer warnings of the dangers of the area.
Image credits: izzyandtai
Image credits: laratronti
Dr. Manuel Ferreiro, from the emergency department of the University Hospital of Coruña, explained in an interview with Cadena Cope that while a short dip will leave bathers with minor skin irritations, longer exposure can lead to more serious problems.
“If they take a bath in a timely manner, the most likely consequences are ocular and irritative problems, irritation of the ocular mucous membranes and skin irritations,” he said.
Image credits: jennisuarez4
Image credits: myblueberrynightsblog
“If it is a prolonged bathing session and they accidentally drink some water, people can experience digestive disorders, vomiting and later diarrhea.”
Image credits: lauramr_13
Image credits: miaupotingues
Still think that your photo is worth it?
Image credits: karinaqv93
Image credits: chrisslema2
Image credits: diferlo
Of course, it’s not the first and certainly won’t be the last time that people have foolishly risked their health and lives for the perfect snap. People in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk have also recently been falling ill after taking dips in a bright blue lake that is actually the toxic dumping ground for a nearby power plant.
Image credits: silkitta
Image credits: yoyih_
Image credits: laratronti
However, the Instagrammers are not the only ones at fault. There are not enough signs warning about the dangers of the are and those that are there have no specific information on the water contamination levels.
Image credits: euronews
A local group is calling on the regional government to limit access to the area and put up more warning signs about the dangers.
Image credits: izzyandtai
What do you think? Have you ever taken a risk for a good photo? Let us know in the comments below!
Here’s what people had to say about the situation
166Kviews
Share on Facebook What do you think ?
Hans 6 years ago
Frankly, the first picture. Pseudo-yoga pose, half-exposed butt. I do not mind nakedness, I do not mind posing, hell, I do not mind people who do superfluous stuff to bath in what they consider reach. But the carelessness pisses me of. With reach comes responsibility. I would rather see a scraggy-bearded environmentalist racing for the renatualisation of the environmental crime this lake is.
Branden Hart 6 years ago
HAHAHA - "Im an influencer with 300k followers, would you treat my stupidity burns for free, and I'm sure my followers will use your facility at full rate"
Load More Replies...
Podunkus 6 years ago
Well if it were me and I had ignorantly stumbled across this “idyllic” looking place by accident, my first reaction would be to start asking myself why there is no one else here on such a beautiful day, and why is there virtually no plant life around this lake?
M O'Connell 6 years ago
The story itself states that the location was used for tourism promotion, and they admitted that there wasn't nearly enough signage around the lake. Many mining areas all around the world are contaminated by heavy metals and other toxic compounds leaking from spoil piles or from areas contaminated by ore processing. It's an unfortunate reality of mining. Especially during wartime, the environment was the least of people's concerns.
Load More Replies...
Vicki Lowers 6 years ago
Stupid people doing stupid stuff in order to impress other stupid people.
Leodavinci 6 years ago
That site really needs far better warnings and should have barriers to entry. Not sure the consequences in these situations really count as Darwinism in action. As we typically refer to it, that's what happens when people who really know better, do stupid things anyway. In most of these instances, the consequences are the result of ignorance... not stupidity. Most 1st world people work around their world with the notion that their governments protect them and make it safe to walk around in. Clearly not in every instance. I suppose "universal/free healthcare" makes up for that. Although, it seems that would be a small comfort knowing your government's actions (or lack thereof) resulted in health problems that became chronic, life threatening, or terminal.
Janine B. 6 years ago (edited)
Sorry Leo but as you said, it's about ignorance not just stupidity. I don't think more signs would help here. People would go there anyway. Just look at Chernobyl. Besides, a lake of such unnatural colour should be enough warning. I think there is no one to blame but those morons themselves.
Load More Replies... Hans 6 years ago
Frankly, the first picture. Pseudo-yoga pose, half-exposed butt. I do not mind nakedness, I do not mind posing, hell, I do not mind people who do superfluous stuff to bath in what they consider reach. But the carelessness pisses me of. With reach comes responsibility. I would rather see a scraggy-bearded environmentalist racing for the renatualisation of the environmental crime this lake is.
Branden Hart 6 years ago
HAHAHA - "Im an influencer with 300k followers, would you treat my stupidity burns for free, and I'm sure my followers will use your facility at full rate"
Load More Replies... Podunkus 6 years ago
Well if it were me and I had ignorantly stumbled across this “idyllic” looking place by accident, my first reaction would be to start asking myself why there is no one else here on such a beautiful day, and why is there virtually no plant life around this lake?
M O'Connell 6 years ago
The story itself states that the location was used for tourism promotion, and they admitted that there wasn't nearly enough signage around the lake. Many mining areas all around the world are contaminated by heavy metals and other toxic compounds leaking from spoil piles or from areas contaminated by ore processing. It's an unfortunate reality of mining. Especially during wartime, the environment was the least of people's concerns.
Load More Replies... Vicki Lowers 6 years ago
Stupid people doing stupid stuff in order to impress other stupid people.
Leodavinci 6 years ago
That site really needs far better warnings and should have barriers to entry. Not sure the consequences in these situations really count as Darwinism in action. As we typically refer to it, that's what happens when people who really know better, do stupid things anyway. In most of these instances, the consequences are the result of ignorance... not stupidity. Most 1st world people work around their world with the notion that their governments protect them and make it safe to walk around in. Clearly not in every instance. I suppose "universal/free healthcare" makes up for that. Although, it seems that would be a small comfort knowing your government's actions (or lack thereof) resulted in health problems that became chronic, life threatening, or terminal.
Janine B. 6 years ago (edited)
Sorry Leo but as you said, it's about ignorance not just stupidity. I don't think more signs would help here. People would go there anyway. Just look at Chernobyl. Besides, a lake of such unnatural colour should be enough warning. I think there is no one to blame but those morons themselves.
Load More Replies... You May Like 129 Good Instagram Captions To Spice Up Your Feed 59 Toxic Argument Tactics, As Shared By People 150 Toxic Relationship Quotes To Stop Hurting Yourself And Let Go
Aivaras Kaziukonis
Justina Čiapaitė
Ula Rukaite
Related on Bored Panda
261
178