Italian tourist plunges to death near Bali waterfall while taking selfies with girlfriend

An Italian tourist plunged to his death while taking selfies with his girlfriend near a waterfall in Bali, Indonesia.

Giancarlo Zicari, 49, and his partner Ilaria Biagi, 25, were on their dream vacation taking photos at a viewing terrace near the Gajah Mas waterfalls on August 4.

However, as the couple posed for selfies, the railing they were leaning on suddenly collapsed, sending them plummeting around 80 feet down a cliff.

Giancarlo was reportedly mangled by the landing and was unresponsive, while Ilaria survived with abrasions and a head injury. Despite her wounds, she managed to find a security guard to report the accident.

Iptu I Gusti Made Besa, head of public relations for the Tabanan Police, said: 'We received the report at 12.32 WITA. The victim was a tourist from Italy.

'The body has now been taken to Sanglah Hospital (Prof. Ngoerah). The victim's family refused an autopsy and has accepted his passing.'

Police said the couple had been staying at the Homm Saranam Hotel and, before the incident, had gone for a stroll around Villa Gajah Mas and the Baturiti Market.

They had stopped to admire the scenery at the viewing platform with two wooden seats and an iron-fenced railing to prevent falls, but a huge chunk of the terrace appeared to have collapsed, resulting in the fall.

Officials have not clarified if the villa will be held accountable for the accident.

Giancarlo, an engineer in Rome, is survived by his parents, brother, and sister, who live in Pisa.