More than half of the 27 selfie deaths across the world in 2015 happened in India. The unfortunate trend shows no signs of abating, with three selfie deaths across India in the first two weeks of 2016 already.
The 2015 list, included Indians who died while taking a selfie in front of an incoming train, drowned after tipping a boat while posing, fell down from a cliff, and slipped into the water from a river bank. A Japanese tourist also died after sustaining injuries from a fall down a staircase at the Taj Mahal.
In India, selfies have been celebrated by the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi who is known for clicking selfies with other world leaders, a government-backed 'selfie with daughter' campaign, and even a popular Hindi song ("Selfie le le re") from last year's highest-grossing Bollywood film Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
However, selfie accidents have raised safety concerns as well. Last year, a fear of stampedes led to a selfie ban during the large religious congregation of Kumbh Mela. This week, Mumbai Police identified no selfie zones in the city after two people drowned in a selfie-related accident.