Your Guide To 'Dark Tourism' And Why The Kerala Police Wants You To Stay Away

As the death toll in Wayanad district crosses 300 and rescuers race against time to find hundreds of missing people after landslides damaged homes and villages in Kerala, the state police have issued a warning to tourists engaging in “dark tourism.” The phrase denotes visits to places which are associated with tragedy, violence, death or unusual events. It includes sites like disaster areas, crime scenes, battlefields, memorials, prisons, execution sites, cemeteries, mausoleums, haunted houses and places of paranormal activity.

Here’s what you need to know about "dark tourism."

What’s Happening?

Heavy rains triggered landslides in the early hours of July 30, 2024 in Wayanad district, killing at least 256 people and injuring more than 200 persons. Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages were among the areas affected by the landslides.

On the same day, the Kerala Police department posted a warning on social media writing, “Please don't go to disaster areas for sightseeing. It will affect rescue operations. Call 112 for assistance.” They urged the public to cooperate with authorities and avoid visiting disaster-stricken areas to ensure the smooth progress of rescue and relief operations.

What Is ‘Dark Tourism’?

The term “dark tourism” was coined in 1996 by J. John Lennon and Malcolm Foley at Glasgow Caledonian University. They described it as “the representation of inhuman acts, and how these are interpreted for visitors.” People visit “dark tourism” locations as it offers them an emotional connection to the place where the tragedy took place. They hope to engage deeply with the history of the site and connect with the emotions of those who experienced the tragedy.

“Dark tourism” is a way for individuals to reflect on the significance of historical events and pay their respects to the victims and survivors of such suffering. Social media is one of the reasons that dark tourism places are so popular. People share photos and videos of these places on social media, which creates interest and curiosity in other people who watch them.

Some of the most popular “dark tourism” locations are Chornobyl in Ukraine, the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland, the Aokigahara Forest in Japan, the Killing Fields of Cambodia, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in the USA, and the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial in India.

Mind Your Manners

If you visit “dark tourism” sites, be respectful. While such places are open for visitors, remember that people suffered horrific things there. Don’t giggle, shout, pose extravagantly and take selfies with a wide grin on your face. Walk with caution, obey the signage, refrain from photographing sensitive areas, do some research before arriving and listen attentively to your guide.

(With inputs from multiple sources)