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Selfies more fatal than shark attacks in 2105, report reveals
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Selfies are more common than the cold these days, and people are going to dramatic extremes to get that perfect shot for their social media accounts. - photo by Jessica Ivins
Oh, the age we live in the age in which selfies have proven more fatal this year than shark attacks.

Yep, you read that right.

Selfies are more common than the cold these days, and people are going to dramatic extremes to get that perfect shot for their social media accounts. Just last week, a Japanese tourist fell to his death while posing for a selfie at the Taj Mahals Royal Gate, according to BBC News.

And hes not alone.

Twelve people have lost their lives in pursuit of a selfie this year alone, according to a new report by Mashable. In the majority of cases, the victims have suffered falls while climbing to dangerous heights for the best angle. Others have been killed by trains trying to get a picture with the train or climbing onto dangerous equipment for a compelling image, Mashable reports.

And then there are the animal selfies. A Spanish man was killed in August when he stepped into the unprotected area at the annual Running of the Bulls event to take a selfie with the bulls behind him, according to CBS Sports. He misjudged how quickly the animals were approaching, and one of them gored and killed him.

Lets not forget about the daredevil stunts designed to show bravery and skill, but often ending in catastrophic, stupidity-induced disaster. A Russian teenager accidentally shot herself while posing for a selfie with a gun to her head, according to Independent News.

Luckily, she survived.

And then there are the dangers of the GoPro pursuit. In May, a GoPro camera captured the deaths of two men attempting an illegal cliff jump at Yosemite National Park, according to Yahoo News. While GoPro videos dont necessarily fall into the category of the selfie, the deaths of the BASE jumpers highlight the growing obsession and danger of capturing thrills on camera.

In comparison, just 8 people have died as the result of a shark attack in 2015, according to Conde Nast Traveler. Surprising, considering weve just survived the summer of shark attacks: People in the waters off of North Carolina, South Africa, Australia, California, Florida, and Maui have either managed to escape unharmed, lost limbs or, in some cases, perished as a result of a shark.

It sounds like a joke, but unfortunately it isnt: The deaths are a tragic reminder to travelers that focusing on a phone screen instead of unfamiliar surroundings is not safe, wrote Mashables Cailey Rizzo.

The recent influx of selfie-related injuries and deaths has prompted restrictions at major tourist spots across the globe. Selfie-takers in Disney parks must now leave their trusty selfie sticks at home. The devices are banned at many museums, zoos and festivals around the world.

Russia went so far as to launch a public-safety campaign, warning young people about the dangers of extreme selfies. The campaigns motto: Even a million likes on social media are not worth your life and well-being, BBC News reports.
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