More than 250 people around the world have died taking selfies

More than 250 people around the world have died taking a selfie since 2011, according to a new study.

Selfie

Source: Flickr

Taking a great selfie has become somewhat of an art, with many scaling great heights for that shot to share on social media.

But for some taking a selfie has turned deadly.

New research suggests more than 250 people around the world have died taking a selfie since 2011.



More than half of those deaths have occurred in India, according to the study published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.

The researchers warn selfie deaths have become an "emerging problem" and have called for 'no selfie zones' to be declared at popular tourist areas - especially at mountain peaks and on tall buildings.

Wedding Cake Rock
Researchers want 'no selfie zones' in place at popular tourist attractions especially at mountain peaks. (AAP) Source: NSW NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE


Researchers from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, a group of public medical colleges in New Delhi, conducted a comprehensive Google search of all news reports on selfie deaths.

The search found from October 2011 to November 2017 there had been 259 deaths while clicking selfies in 137 incidents. 

India recorded the most selfie deaths at 159, followed by Russia, the US and Pakistan.

Most victims were men (72 per cent) under the age of 30.

The researchers noted the high number of deaths in India was attributed to the large population of people aged under the 30.
Selfie Deaths
About 50% (106) of total selfie deaths occurred in 20–29 year age group followed by 36% deaths in 10–19 year age group. Source: Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care


Drowning, transport, and falling from a significant height were the top three reasons for deaths caused by selfies.

Some of the most common drowning incidents were caused by being washed away by waves on a beach, capsizing off a boat while rowing and clicking selfies on shore while not knowing how to swim.

Clicking a selfie in front of a moving train was another common cause of death.

In June this year, an Australian man and his British girlfriend died after falling from a wall at a popular tourist beach in Portugal.

They were reportedly taking selfies overlooking the beach in the coastal town of Ericeira when they lost their balance and fell to their death.

Ericeira in Lisbon, Portugal.
An Australian couple died when they fell from a wall at tourist beach in Ericeira, Portugal. They were reportedly taking a selfie at the time. Source: Google Maps


 

 


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2 min read

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Updated

By Sarah Wiedersehn


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More than 250 people around the world have died taking selfies | SBS News