Selfie deaths more common than shark attacks, reports show

A tally of selfie-related incidents leading to deaths this year comes with a startling revelation — selfie deaths in 2015 outnumber deaths from shark attacks.

We know shark attacks are pretty rare, but this is still a little concerning. Surely nobody should die just because they wanted to take a picture?

The incidents are generally thought to have occurred because someone’s snapped themselves in an unsafe location or have been too focused on their photography to notice danger around them.

The death toll for selfie-related fatalities now totals 12 people, whereas the amount of deaths related to shark attacks is 8.

Just last week, a Japanese tourist is believed to have lost his life after slipping down the stairs at the Taj Mahal in India.

One of his colleagues also fractured his leg, after both fell from the monument’s Royal Gate.

In May, a Moscow woman survived accidentally shooting herself in the head while posing with a gun and in August a man was gored to death by a bull at Spain’s annual bull running festival.

Earlier this year, the Russian government reportedly launched a campaign to make young people think twice before taking selfies in risky situations.

While we think selfies are great, we urge everyone to ensure they’re safe before hitting that shutter button.

Because as much as we enjoy Instagram, it’s definitely not worth dying for.

Agencies/Canadajournal