A group of tourists was caught on terrifying video desperately clinging to one another as a sudden flash flood tore through a popular waterfall in Thailand.
The frightening incident happened Aug. 15 at Mae Sa Waterfall in Chiang Mai, inside Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.
According to Viral Press, several tourists had ventured onto rocks in the water when the conditions suddenly turned dangerous.
Video from the scene shows fast-moving water surging around the group as they struggled to keep their footing.
Several people grabbed onto one another in an effort to avoid being swept away.
But as the current grew stronger, some of the tourists lost their balance and were carried downstream.
One man could be seen struggling against the raging water while people nearby screamed for help.
Park rangers eventually reached the group and helped bring everyone to safety.
Despite the dramatic scene, the tourists reportedly escaped with only minor scratches and were treated with first aid.
Witness Arttie Martin said he had been moments away from entering the water himself when the flood struck.
Martin told Viral Press he was preparing to remove his shoes and walk out toward the waterfall to take a photo when he suddenly heard a park officer blow a warning whistle.
Seconds later, the water surged.
“It was truly a matter of split seconds,” Martin said.
“I was just about to take off my shoes and walk into the middle to follow the foreigners and take a photo of the waterfall.”
Martin later shared footage of the incident to warn other travelers about how quickly waterfalls can become dangerous during Thailand’s rainy season.
He urged visitors to pay close attention to warning signs, instructions from park staff and any sudden changes in the water.
“Especially during the rainy season, when visiting waterfalls, you should exercise extra caution,” Martin said.
He also advised tourists to continuously watch the water’s color, level and speed because conditions can change without much warning.
Access to Mae Sa Waterfall remained restricted following the flash flood, according to Viral Press.
The dramatic rescue comes amid growing warnings about dangerous behavior and rapidly changing conditions at waterfalls around the world.
In another recent incident, a tourist at Brazil’s famous Iguazu Falls climbed over a safety barrier and entered the water above the falls while trying to retrieve a cellphone.
Video showed the man lowering himself into fast-moving water just yards from a steep drop.
He managed to recover the phone and return safely to the walkway before firefighters escorted him from the area.
Other tourists have also been recorded crossing safety barriers at Iguazu Falls this year, including one person who went after a hat and another visitor who lifted a baby over a barrier near a viewpoint.
The Thailand incident, however, showed just how quickly even a seemingly calm photo stop can turn into a fight for safety.
For the tourists caught in the Mae Sa flood, a few seconds made all the difference.
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