Selfies Dangerous? Deaths Exceed The Number Of Shark-Related Deaths In 2015

Selfies are a fad in the present age, where cellphones are equipped with cameras. With the rise in the quality of photos taken via smartphone and other camera gadgets, the number of selfie-related deaths has also risen, and has already overtaken the number of deaths caused by shark attacks for the year 2015 thus far.

According to Shark Attack Survivors, a website dedicated to monitoring the number of shark attacks, the number of fatal shark attacks this year amount to eight, which is lower than the current selfie death count of 12, according to Mashable.com.

According to the United Press International, falling is the leading cause of death related to taking selfies, followed by train-related accidents that happened while unprepared victims took a snapshot.

The latest selfie death reported happened this month to a Japanese tourist who took a selfie while standing on the stairs of India's Taj Mahal. Apparently, the unfortunate 66-year-old victim fell down to his death.

The Guardian reports that other deaths include the following:

In May, a Singaporean tourist died from falling off Bali's coastal cliffs while attempting to take a picture. Also, like the drunk Mexican who died from a selfie-turned-gunshot, a 19-year-old Houston male shot himself with a loaded gun while trying to take a selfie.

America Online adds that other deaths include a teen who was electrocuted while climbing a train, and a pilot who took a selfie and crashed the aircraft.

The Telegraph reports that in addressing this issue, the Russian Interior Ministry launched a campaign, complete with an illustrated guide to help locals and tourists steer away from dangerous selfie-related behavior. The guide advises people to avoid taking selfies in dangerous places, when near or with dangerous animals, or with loaded weapons and live explosives.

The UPI adds that selfie sticks used in taking self-photos were also banned from events such as Wimbledon, the Kentucky Derby, and the Coachella and Lollapalooza music festivals.

According to AOL, parks and museums are also warning visitors against the dangers of taking selfies carelessly, with one park actually closing itself to stop visitors from taking selfies with actual bears.

“The current situation is not conducive for the safety of our visitors or the well-being of the wildlife,” said the park manager of the site, via The Guardian. “We’ve actually seen people using selfie sticks to try and get as close to the bears as possible—sometimes within ten feet of wild bears.”

For more information on the reported deaths, there is a comprehensive list found in Wikipedia.