Between 2011 and 2017, 259 people have been accidentally killed in all kinds of different ways while taking selfies all over the world. Scientists are calling for "no selfie zones" after the incredible number was revealed.
The most common ways that people die while taking selfies is by drowning, being hit by traffic or falling. And it happens overwhelmingly to men, with nearly three quarters of the victims being male (153). Eight people were killed by animals while taking selfies and another 16 were electrocuted in the same period.
The country where most of the deaths happened was India which accounted for around half of all the selfie-related deaths, closely followed by Russia, the USA and Pakistan. Most of the deaths in the US were due to firearms. Researchers advise the creation of "no-selfie zones" at high-risk areas including bodies of water, mountain peaks and tall buildings.
Dr. Agam Bansal at the India Institute of Medical Sciences led the research. He said: "Selfies are themselves not harmful, but the human behavior that accompanies selfies is dangerous. Individuals need to be educated regarding certain risky behaviors and places where selfies should not be taken."