Bridges, cliffs, towers, and falls offer such magnificent views. However, they sometimes attract people who want to commit suicide. According to the World Health Organization, one person dies from suicide every 40 seconds. As a matter of fact, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-19 years-old. Unfortunately, many suicides happen at beautiful locations. For example, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is considered the most suicidal place in the world. Is it, though? Let’s find out. Here are 15 famous landmarks that are creepy suicide magnets with the highest suicide rates.
The Acropolis, Athens
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The Acropolis is a symbol of civilization as it displays the outstanding architecture of the fifth century B.C. It’s one of the world’s top cultural and historical attractions. But, the ancient buildings of Athens seem to attract people – foreigners and locals alike– who want to commit suicide throughout the years.
The infamous case reported was Mary Weber, who tragically jumped from the sacred rock of Athens after her father had prohibited her from marrying her love in the late nineteenth century.
Türisalu Pank, Estonia
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Next on our list of the most suicidal place in the world is Türisalu Pank. It’s located on the northwestern coast of Estonia and gives you beautiful views of the Baltic Sea. This 100-feet (30.5-meters) cliff has a negative reputation as a ‘popular’ suicide magnet in all of Eastern Europe, especially among young people.
Pigeon Rocks, Beirut
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Raouche Rock, also known as Pigeon Rocks, is located in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s the symbol of Beirut and attracts many tourists yearly. The two colossal limestone formations can be found at the westernmost tip of the city. The rocks are said to be the remains of a sea monster that Perseus has turned into the stone using Medusa’s head.
Unfortunately, many intentionally venture too close to the cliff’s edge and jump to death. This area became a suicide destination for locals during the ’40s.
Eiffel Tower, Paris
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Located on the Champ de Mars, Eiffel Tower is known as the symbol of Paris and the number one landmark of France. However, it’s also the most suicidal place in the world since 1898, when a 23-year-old man committed his first suicide at the Eiffel Tower by hanging himself there.
Since then, more and more people have chosen to end their lives in the Eiffel Tower. Jumping off the “Iron Lady” is the third most common way to commit suicide in France– just next to hanging and poisoning.
Beachy Head, East Sussex
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The chalky headland of East Sussex opens into the English Channel. You’d expect that the headline’s dramatic panorama would attract people who want to relax. Located in the Eastbourne Borough Council, Beachy Head has the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain, 531 feet (162 meters). However, the height has turned out to attract people who want to commit suicide. It has become a notable suicide spot, with around 20 suicides per year.
Niagara Falls, Canada
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Niagara Falls welcomes about 14 million annual tourists. Three waterfalls at the straddle of Ontario and New York create a grand spectacle of icy mists and rushing water surges. Sadly, the breathtaking Niagara Falls is also the most popular suicide destination. About 20-25 suicide attempts happen in Niagara Falls yearly..
The Gap, Sydney
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Located in the South Head Peninsula in eastern Sydney, the Gap is an ocean cliff that faces the Tasman Sea. The cliff rises 100 feet (30.5 meters) above sea level and is popular as a tourist destination. However, the cliff has been a ‘special’ place for people to commit suicide every year. About 50 people from all over Australia jumped to their deaths in this place.
London Underground, London
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London Underground is not only a famous train system but also the most suicidal place in the world. People likely witness a suicide in this place, which King’s Cross St. Pancras is a popular suicide station. Because suicide is so common here, researchers and authorities have started to create suicide preventive interventions around the underground railway network.
Aokigahara, Japan
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Aokigahara is a picturesque forest, also known as the Sea of Trees. It’s historically reputed as the home of Yurei or dead spirits. Since it attracts people who want to meet their death, this forest is also popularly known as the Suicide Forest.
Back in 2010, the police recorded 247 people who tried to kill themselves, of which 54 were successful. There are reports of more than 70 suicides inside the forest yearly.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
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The Golden Gate Bridge is a famous tourist destination in San Francisco. Connecting the city of San Francisco to Marin County, it was the longest suspension bridge span in the world when it was completed in 1937. It’s also famous as the most suicidal bridge in the world.
People have been known to come to this place to end their lives by jumping off this 245-feet (75 meters) above the water bridge. The number of suicides has been greatly reduced thanks to suicide barriers for protective measures.
Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge, China
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Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge is one of the longest and notorious bridges in China, with a length of 4.5 kilometers. The bridge is also a national symbol for the Chinese as it was the first heavy bridge designed and built purely in China. The bridge not only attracts people who want to go from Pukou to the Xiaguan district, but it also draws those who suffer from mental issues.
Since its completion in 1968, up to 1,000 people are believed to died by jumping off the bridge. Hence, it’s on our list of the most suicidal bridge in the world.
Empire State Building, New York
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Empire State Building is New York’s most recognizable symbol. This 102-floor building has been the destination for people to attempt suicide. Since it opened in 1931, more than 30 people have jumped from the building, including 17 from the observation deck on the 86th floor. The infamous suicide victim is a young and pretty girl who jumped from the 86th-floor observatory in 1947 and landed on top of a parked car.
Mount Mihara, Japan
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Another most suicidal place in the world is Mount Mihara. It’s an active volcano on the island of Izu Oshima, Japan. This mount was considered a sacred site a thousand years ago. Sadly, it had captivated suicide jumpers for more than 250 years.
In 1933, a twenty-one-year-old Japanese girl threw herself into the volcanic crater. Until 1935, there were 350 suicides took place on Mount Mihara. At the end of World War II, the ‘trend’ of suicide finally started decreasing. The local government increased the security and made a new law to prevent suicides.
Corinth Canal, Greece
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Corinth Canal is an impressive engineering marvel, located in Greece. Completed in 1893, it has become a very known tourist attraction. This beautiful channel between Corinth Gulf and the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea is 6.4 km long.
Although the canal is beautiful, some tourists seem to like jumping off the canal more than cruising through it. Police records found suicide jumpers from about 15 different countries over the years.
Bosphorus Bridge, Istanbul
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Bosphorus Bridge, also known as the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, was completed in 1973. This 1560-meter-long suspension bridge is one of the longest in the world – connecting Europe and Asia and boasts breathtaking views of Ortaköy and Beylerbeyi. Not as surprisingly, some of the 11 Best Hotels In Istanbul, Turkey, offer a view of this bridge.
The bridge was originally intended not only for road traffic but also for pedestrians. Now, only vehicles are allowed to cross the Bosphorus Bridge. However, this bridge has been known as the most suicidal bridge in the world. Within 10 years, there have been 65 recorded suicides.
Just So You Know:
- A recent study shows that an effective intervention to reduce deaths at suicide spots is the limitation of access. However, since these are cities landmarks, keeping people off them is hard.
- Some people patrol these suicide hotspots, hoping that they can stop anyone who’ll try to kill themselves. The most famous of them is Chen Si. Since 2004, he has stopped more than 400 people from jumping off the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge.
- Jumping off any bridge has a 98% fatality rate. As of 2013, there are only 34 people who survived jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Although South Korea is not listed here since there’s no specific landmark, the infamous suicide tendency among public figures and youth puts South Korea as the most suicidal country in Asia.
NOTE: If you or someone you know have suicidal thoughts, please talk to someone you trust or the police.
What is the most suicidal country?
According to WHO’s data, Lesotho’s suicide rate is above 80 per 100,000 population. That almost doubles Guyana on 2nd place. Other countries on the top 10 list are Eswatini, Kiribati, Micronesia, Suriname, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique, and the Central African Republic. Notable mentions within the top 20 are Russia (11th), South Korea (12th), Uruguay (16th), and Ukraine (19th).
What is the most suicidal bridge in the world?
The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco has been known as the most suicidal place in the world. Since it was opened in 1937, the bridge has seen more than 1,800 suicides. This puts Golden Gate Bridge’suicide rate at 20 suicides per year or 1-2 every month.
Why is the Golden Gate Bridge a suicide magnet?
Considered to be one of the seven wonders of the modern world and one of America’s beautiful landmarks, the Golden Gate has become a popular attraction. Also, the bridge is an easily accessible place with pedestrian access; making a jump from the bridge is seen as a quick way for people who intend to suicide.
For the record, Golden Gate Bridge does not have the highest suicide rate. But the bridges’ magnetic appeal somehow attracts those in despair.
