The never-ending pursuit of the perfect shot to share on social media has sparked a troubling trend in India - death-by-selfie. Careless photo-takers have been tipping over boats, falling off cliffs, getting hit by trains and crashing cars, with the alarming numbers garnering government attention.

Headed by a selfie-loving Prime Minister, the Centre is set to introduce a raft of measures to identify such danger zones at tourist sites across India. "I have written to all state governments, requesting them to introduce safety precautionary measures and declare 'Selfie Danger Zones' at tourist sites. We are taking up the issue very seriously," Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Mahesh Sharma told Mail Today on Tuesday.

INDIA WORLD LEADER IN SELFIE-RELATED DEATHS

"I would urge everyone not to risk their lives for taking selfies at any dangerous location." According to reports, India led the world in selfie-related deaths in 2015, accounting for more than half of such fatalities globally-15 out of 27.

A Japanese tourist died last year after he succumbed to head injuries from slipping on the Taj Mahal's stairs while trying to snap a self-portrait.

Seven teenagers drowned in a lake in Nagpur when they stood up for a selfie and flipped their boat.

The spate has continued this year too.

54 DEATHS SINCE 2014

Going by reports, as many as 37 deaths have occurred till August, taking the total number of such casualties to at least 54 since 2014.

In January this year, 18-year-old Tarannum Ansari and her two friends fell into the sea while snapping selfies near Mumbai's Bandra Fort. A bystander, Ramesh Walanju, 37, saved her friends but was swept away while trying to find Ansari. Both drowned.

The same month, 16-year-old student Dinesh Kumar was run over when he tried to take a selfie in front of a speeding train in Chennai.An ambulance driver and his friend died last month after falling 250ft into a gorge near the Charmadi Ghats in Karnataka while taking selfies.

RISKY AREAS TO BE DEMARCATED, SAFETY AREAS TO BE MARKED

"For the safety and security for tourists - both domestic and international- we are forming specific guidelines and will ask the state governments and other agencies to demarcate areas (at tourist destinations and historical monuments) which are considered 'risky' for any such activities," an official said.

He said the ministry would ask the state governments and Union Territory administrations to put up signs at all the unsafe spots, informing tourists about the dangers ahead. It will also provide training to guides and guards deployed at all the sites, which either come under the Ministry of Tourism or the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture.

The tourism ministry is instructing officials and agencies to work out all possible steps to avert selfie-related mishaps. "The guidelines will include steps like putting up safety nets around all identified SDZs so that if anyone suffers a fall, fatalities can be avoided.



CCTVs TO BE INSTALLED

There will be arrangements of emergency medical assistance at all Selfie Danger Zones too," an official said, pointing out that there will be deployment of security guards to closely monitor the sites.

CCTV cameras will be installed to monitor movements of tourists at these treacherous spots.

The governments of Maharashtra and Karnataka have already adopted measures to create awareness through signage at the danger zones.

Mumbai Police had identified 16 'no selfie zones' in the city to combat the menace with two people drowning near the Bandra Worli Sea Link this year.

The Centre has issued guidelines on safety and security of tourists for state government and UTs and also launched a national campaign.

Several states, such as Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Kerala and Maharashtra have deployed tourist police teams. These personnel have been drawn from the state police forces and from among ex-servicemen, sources said.

Also Read:

UP: Another athlete falls and drowns while taking selfie

How selfie in Ganga led to the death of 7 students

Elbow pain? You probably have the selfie elbow. Know the cure and causes

Couple drowns in sea while taking selfie in Kanyakumari

