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Portuguese bloggers Raquel and Miguel from @explorerssaurus_ took the snapshot of themselves riding along the train tracks of Ella, a small town located in Sri Lanka, in February
A travelling couple who took a very risky photo while hanging out of a moving train has started a dangerous copycat trend. Portuguese bloggers Raquel and Miguel from @explorerssaurus_ took the original snapshot while riding along the train tracks of Ella, a small town located in Sri Lanka, in February.
Hundreds of travellers have since tried to recreate the shot, sparking concerns they are 'risking their lives' for the sake of a perfect Instagram photo.
Just three days ago London-based couple Jean and Camille, who blog on @backpackdiariez, performed a similar kiss, leaning out of the same train while travelling along a steep bridge.
Holding onto the railing was all that stopped both couples from plunging hundreds of metres into a forest below. Critics soon attacked them over their complete disregard of the dangers.
'You'd risk your lives just for a picture? Just so you can upload it on social media? Or do you do this because this gives you 'the rush'? How is this sensible? Anything could've happened,' one woman wrote on Instagram.
Another commented: 'I would never promote a picture like this since there are not few people stupid enough to feel encouraged to try and recreate the idea. What you do and the models do is only their own responsibility. But you should see your responsibility for influencing others.' One chimed in: 'Two idiots risking their lives and others' lives just to get likes.' The months between both photos have seen a number of couples - and individuals - share eerily similar images of themselves poking out from the train.Some show just their head out the window while others are barefoot and leaning forward in a way that incites fear in their own smaller followings. 'This doesn't look safe. Be careful out there,' one person cautioned. 'Wow! Braver than me,' said another.A third added: 'Seems like a lot of effort just for a photo'.
But those who have been criticised were quick to defend themselves saying that unless you've been to the exact train network, you can't know how safe it is to do something like that. Raquel from @explorerssaurus_ said in a following blog post: 'Can you see my hair moving? This was how fast we were going.'
'It's better to go to the places before you say these kinds of rude things about people you don't know at all,' she said.
'Even for not a fit person we don't think this is dangerous at all. It's much more dangerous some hikes we did before [sic].
'If you did this journey you'd also know that the train goes really slow, especially when crossing bridges.
'It was moving super slow, almost not moving, my hair was barely moving.'
Described as one of 'the most scenic train rides in the world', the route travels from Kandy in the north to Ella in the south of the country.Tickets can be purchased for $1.50 if you're willing to take the five-hour journey.
Photographer Journey Era, who has also been on the trip, said passengers should be mindful about hanging out of the moving cars for too long because 'there are trees and tunnels that come close to the train'. But there are no strict safety warnings given to travellers who hop on board.
DAILY MAIL