A tragic incident in Bhandara, Maharashtra, has highlighted the dangers of social media trends, claiming the life of a 17-year-old boy. The youth, identified as Tirthraj Barsagade, drowned in a water-filled pit while filming a reel for Instagram. His friends, who were recording the video, reportedly mistook his cries for help as part of his act.

The incident occurred in the Sonegaon area, within the jurisdiction of the Adyal police station in Bhandara district. Tirthraj, a twelfth-grade student at Jagruti Junior College in Kondha, had gone to a farm with two friends on a Sunday. According to reports, Tirthraj wanted to create a reel of himself swimming in a large pit located on the farmland. His friends positioned themselves to record the video.

Tragedy struck when Tirthraj jumped into the pit, unaware of its depth. As he began to struggle and called out for help, his friends continued filming, assuming it was part of the act. By the time they realized he was genuinely in distress, it was too late. Tirthraj drowned before any assistance could be rendered.

Upon receiving information about the incident, Adyal police arrived at the scene and retrieved Tirthraj's body. The body was sent for post-mortem examination, and the police have launched a further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

The incident has sent shockwaves through Bhandara, raising concerns about the increasing obsession with social media and the risks associated with creating online content. Local authorities are urging youngsters to prioritize safety and exercise caution when filming reels, emphasizing that "life is more important than videos". They also highlight the importance of making informed decisions and considering potential dangers before engaging in risky activities for social media content.

This unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of distinguishing between reality and performance, especially when it comes to potentially dangerous situations. It also highlights the critical need for awareness and responsible behavior while creating content for social media platforms. This is not an isolated incident as a similar event occurred recently in Raigad, where a 22-year-old drowned while filming an Instagram reel at a waterfall.