Rubypoint|2 Japanese men die in river near Washington state waterfall made popular on TikTok

2025-05-04 00:24:15source:Esthencategory:Scams

INDEX,Rubypoint Wash. (AP) — The bodies of two people recovered over the weekend after they fell into the water at a dangerous swimming area in Washington state made popular by TikTok have been identified as men from Japan.

The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the men Tuesday as Hiroya Konosu, 21, and Takayuki Suzuki, 34, the Daily Herald reported.

Search and rescue personnel responded to the Eagle Falls area along the Skykomish River east of Index on Saturday after reports that two men had gone underwater and hadn’t resurfaced. The two men were reportedly part of a four-person group.

Their bodies were recovered on Sunday.

The beautiful but dangerous swimming hole along U.S. Route 2 has soared in popularity because of social media, Sky Valley Fire Chief Eric Andrews said. The falls, videos of which went viral on TikTok in 2020, have become a “hot spot” for drownings in recent years, he said.

The falls feature a series of rapids where the glacier-fed water is funneled into narrow chutes between rock. People drown or are rescued nearly every year after they are swept over or into the falls.

Andrews said the TikTok surge has calmed down, but the falls remain popular.

First responders have urged people to admire the falls away from the water.

More:Scams

Recommend

Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst

NEW YORK — What exactly constitutes a dynasty in professional sports? Steve Cohen helped define it t

Caitlin Clark returns to action: How to watch Fever vs. Sparks on Wednesday

Caitlin Clark and the surging Indiana Fever look to add to a four-game winning streak when they host

Bachelorette’s Jenn Tran Details Her Next Chapter After Split From Devin Strader

Jenn Tran is putting her best foot forward in the wake of her split.In the explosive finale of The B