SURPRISE ME!

India Has the Highest Number of Selfie Deaths. Be Vain But Don’t Be Insane!

Namrata Dhingra

Last updated: Apr 11, 2022

One of the most popular social media trends, the ‘selfie’ went fast from being a simple self-portrait photograph to a growing rage all over the world. It was declared the Word Of The Year by Oxford Dictionary in 2013 and hereafter became commonplace among the young and old, the elite and the masses.

Then came the ‘selfie sticks’, and 2014 was declared the ‘Year of the Selfie’.

selfie

The Killer Selfie

As the world became ‘selfie obsessed’, reports of deaths caused by the act of taking a selfie increased by the day. Engrossed in the process of clicking themselves in a rare situation or a precarious spot, many have risked their lives and lost their lives.

The shocking reality: India has the maximum number of selfie deaths in the world! According to research conducted by the Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania and the Indraprastha Institute of Information in Delhi, of the selfie-related deaths reported in the world in the last two years, about 60% have occurred in India.

News such as the death of a girl while taking a selfie at Marine Drive, drowning of an engineering student while taking his picture at Bandra Bandstand in Mumbai, death of a boy while posing for a selfie in front of a speeding train in Chennai, death of a group of friends as they fell off a cliff while leaning for a selfie in Goa, and the alarming death of a tourist as he fell down a staircase while taking a selfie in front of the Taj Mahal in Agra, etc., have become everyday reports in India.

Mumbai has been found to be particularly notorious, with the maximum number of selfie-related deaths reported. Efforts are therefore being made to identify and demarcate ‘no-selfie zones’, where taking a selfie is particularly risky. Police personnel are also stationed at many selfie points in Mumbai to ensure safety and warn people against extreme stunts.

Dangerous Selfie Areas

Despite the fatalities, the selfie fad doesn’t seem to be fading out anytime soon. However, this list of uncertain and hazardous areas should be totally avoided for self-photography:

Close to water bodies. The force of water has often drowned groups taking selfies and should not be underestimated.
While on the go. A selfie, while walking or driving, totally spells disaster.
Too close to wildlife. Animals are generally in the mood for any kind of food rather than pictures.
On a mountain or cliff. The maximum number of selfie deaths have been caused due to people falling from heights.
On railway tracks or trains. Extreme selfies sure give a high but not when you pay with your life in the process of taking it.

Tips for Taking a Safe Selfie

Can’t let go of the selfie craze? Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind for a risk-free selfie:

Do not lean out too far.
Be careful of electrical wiring around.
Avoid places with fast-moving vehicles.
Don’t take selfies while walking, driving, moving etc.
Avoid any experiments on a high-rise building, roof or bridge, and avoid going too close to the edge.
Have a firm footing before attempting to take a selfie.
Don’t take selfies with explosives or dangerous objects.

Your life is definitely worth more than a “happening selfie”!

Namrata Dhingra

A passionate painter, Namrata keeps her inner artist alive by creating hand painted personalised products. Travelling, reading and dancing are her other love interests.

Comments

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