10 Most Famous Suicide Landmarks

Suicide.

It's an occult domain the majority of people choose not to delve into, as if to respect its victims. However, some believe the forbidden and prohibited semblance that surrounds the topic renders it a compelling area to actually go and research. 

The truth is, around 800,000 million people commit suicide every single year, making it the 10th leading cause of death worldwide. Unfortunately, suicide doesn't seem to be an unpopular means to an end for the many people who have to endure intolerable and unbearable despair and pain every day. 

So does the place in which the individual chooses to take their life carry much personal meaning, or is the location merely based on convenience? It's a controversial topic you have to scatter around as if it's broken glass on the floor, but a number of famous landmarks exist that exhibit disturbing suicide statistics that certainly can't be referred to as coincidental. 

10. Humber Bridge, England

The world's seventh largest suspension bridge, residing in Hull, England, is 2,220 metres long and beholds a distressing record of suicides. Since it's opening in 1981, over 200 suicide attempts have taken place with only 5 surviving. A plan to deal with the unfortunate problem was devised on Boxing Day 2009 when it was announced that a suicide barrier would be erected along the walkways of the bridge.

9. London Underground, England

Many will be surprised to learn that the world's most famous public transit system is also a hotspot for suicide attempts. 145 deaths were recorded on the Northern Line between 2010 and 2011, however, statistics show that only 40% of people die. 

8. Eiffel Tower, France

The elegant 'Iron Lady' illuminates above the 'City of Love', but all is not what it seems in France's most famous landmark. The exact location is actually France's third most popular means of suicide behind poison and hanging. Safety nets and railings make the task difficult, but many still attempt to jump from the tower.

7. Nusle Bridge, Czech Republic

The nickname ('Suicide Bridge') says it all. The bleak looking construction plays an instrumental role in Prague's transport network, however, it has also assisted 300 suicides since it was built in 1973. To prevent further suicides, the city erected tall chain link fence railings along the sidewalks in 1997 and ten years later, the fencing was topped off with a 3ft wide strip of polished metal to make it impossible to climb.

6. Beachy Head, England

The stunning location in East Sussex presents visitors with a luxurious view of the south east coast, however, the chalk sea cliff's height (162m) also makes it one of the world's most notorious suicide spots. The site averages 20 suicides a year although these numbers are decreasing thanks to regular patrols and signposts.

5. The Gap, Australia

The Gap is an ocean cliff in Sydney with a horrendous suicide record. It's Australia's version of Beachy Head, however, over 50 jump to their death every year at the location. The Gap's suicide rate would be even more repugnant if it wasn't for the late Don Ritchie, a local WWII veteran who would approach jumpers and offer them help. Before his death in 2012, Don saved over 160 people and was even awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his services.

4. Niagara Falls, USA

The falls offer a stunning spectacle between the border of Canada and the USA and it's beauty has often been portrayed in Hollywood for the world to see. However, between 20-40 people jump to their deaths every year at Niagara and an estimated 5,000 bodies have been found at the foot of the falls between 1850 and 2011. 

3. Golden Gate Bridge, USA

The three mile long structure between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean watches over San Francisco like some Godly protector. It has been referred to as 'possible the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed, bridge in the world' and has been declared on of the Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

However, the Bridge's undoubted beauty doesn't stop it from being the second most common suicide site in the world. By 2005, official suicide records were up to 1,200, only second to the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge in China. Jumpers hit the water at 75mph and often die from impact trauma or hypothermia from the freezing cold water below.

2. Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge, China

It may be longer, but China's infamous river bridge in Nanjing is most definitely uglier and boasts a significantly more horrific suicide rate than San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. With over 2,000 suicides on it's blood stained record, the bridge is the most common suicide spot in the world. 

1. Aokigahara Forest, Japan

The notoriously creepy forest in Japan is known for it's haunting affiliation with the supernatural. Since the 1950's, an average of 30 people a year have committed suicide in the dreary forestland and many bodies are sadly never found.