In the town of La Tinta, Guatemala, a 15-year-old girl named Débora Rebeca Xi Artola was fatally electrocuted by a high-voltage power line while taking pictures on a rooftop with friends on August 1, 2024.
According to reports, Débora and her three friends had been atop a two-story building practicing dance routines and taking photographs when she inadvertently made contact with the high-tension cable. The cable, which carried thousands of volts, inflicted a lethal shock that resulted in her instant death. The severe electrical current also caused her head to detach from her body, and she plummeted about 20 feet to the pavement below. Bystanders, who were shocked at the horrific sight, rushed to her aid but were unable to revive her.
The incident was caught on video and shared on social media.
Local emergency services arrived promptly, but Débora was declared dead at the scene. An investigation was initiated by the authorities to verify the circumstances of the accident and to ascertain if negligence played a role in the incident.
Andrea Xi, Débora’s mother, expressed her sorrow on Facebook, sharing a tribute alongside a photo of Débora from her quinceañera (15th birthday) in March. “I love you forever. My princess,” she wrote, capturing the sudden and tragic loss of her daughter.
Erik Artola, another family member, shared a TikTok video that featured clips from Débora’s life. His message accompanying the video was, “You are in heaven, but you deserved to be here longer.” The sentiment echoed the deep sense of loss experienced by those who knew her.
A GoFundMe campaign was created to provide financial support to Débora’s family.
Regrettably, Débora’s death is part of a rising global trend of fatalities related to selfie-taking, particularly among the youth. From 2008 to 2021, it is estimated that 379 individuals lost their lives in accidents related to selfie-taking. Such incidents often entail risky behavior in hazardous locations, with falls, drowning, and electrocution being the primary causes of death. This disturbing increase in fatalities underscores the need for heightened awareness and safety precautions to avert similar tragedies in the future.
