September 11, 2025 | 07:52 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Selfies or self-photos have become a way to capture vacation moments. However, this activity can be dangerous. Many tourists have had accidents, from being hit by trains to falling off cliffs, all because of selfies.
Due to the numerous selfie incidents, The Barber Law Firm conducted a study on the most dangerous selfie destinations in the world. According to a report by the New York Post, the most dangerous country in the world for taking selfies is India. This country is the location for 42.1 percent of all incidents related to selfies worldwide, with the majority (214 out of a total of 271 reported selfie incidents) resulting in fatalities.
Kris Barber, founder and lead attorney at The Barber Law Firm, stated that this research highlights a concerning trend where the literal pursuit of social media validation is costing lives. 'The perfect photo is not worth the danger,' Barber said.
Worryingly, he said, most of these tragedies could actually be avoided by taking a few steps back or finding a safer vantage point.
The second most dangerous country for selfies is the United States (US), which reported 45 selfie-related incidents, including 37 fatalities and eight injuries. Following that, Russia ranks third with a total of 19 selfie-related incidents, 18 of which resulted in fatalities.
To compile the list of the most dangerous countries for taking selfies, the law firm observed selfie-related incidents causing injury or death between March 2014 and May 2025. Using news reports from Google News as sources, the research covered cases where attempts to take selfies directly resulted in injury or death. The leading cause of selfie-related fatalities, according to the report, is falling. This accounts for 46 percent of all incidents. Many incidents occur on rooftops, cliffs, and tall buildings.
Public Health Issue
Self-photos being dangerous is not a new issue. A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research in 2023 found that selfie-related incidents constitute a public health problem. In the study, falling from cliffs was the most common cause of selfie-related fatalities in Australia and the United States in water locations, disproportionately affecting young women and girls.
To stay safe while taking selfies, it is important to pay attention to the surrounding environment and avoid getting too close to the edge of high cliffs. It is also important to be aware of the risks for people around you.
"There is always a safer alternative to capture beautiful moments without endangering yourself," Barber said. "No matter how many likes or shares, they cannot justify risking lives."
Editor's Choice: 10 Most Dangerous Countries to Take Selfies
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