Two women take a selfie at the top of the Mondarrain Mount, southwestern France. AFP

Gulf Today Report

As the world emerges from its epidemiological isolation due to the coronavirus, deaths related to selfies are rising dramatically.

Since the start of the year, there have been 24 reported deaths of adventurers searching for the perfect selfie, compared to just seven in 2020, not counting the thousands of nonfatal injuries in pursuit of “likes.”

Falls are the most common cause and responsible for a third of the deaths of selfie-takers, especially among men, according to data collected by the United Kingdom.

A man takes a selfie on the edge of a cliff.

Since researchers began tracking deaths related to selfies in 2011, India has recorded the highest number of deaths with 184 casualties, followed by the United States with 25 cases, and Russia in third place with 19 deaths.

Although the majority of reports have come of tourists taking these dangerous poses for photos in order to create unique content that could end in disaster.

Experts have confirmed that employees working in high-risk environments are also guilty of putting themselves in harm.

Experts and safety managers globally are warning that the number is rising alarmingly with the growing influence of social media platforms that are great places to build relationships with others around the world.