Identify spots where selfie deaths could take place: MHA

Amid incidents of deaths while taking selfies, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked states to identify tourist spots where accidents occur frequently.

The Ministry's response came in a written reply to a question asked by MP Sanjay Jadhav on whether "selfies" have become a public safety issue now, and the steps taken by the government to curb it.

In the response, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said, "accidents occurring in the process of taking selfies are reported from time to time."

He said providing safety to tourists, including precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incident such as declaring "No-Selfie Zones" at popular tourist sites, is the primary responsibility of the states.

Ahir then pointed out to the advisory sent by the Ministry of Tourism to all states on the measures to be taken to safeguard tourists who intend to take selfies at tourists sites and destinations.

According to the advisory, the states should identify all such tourist spots which are prone to accidents and erect signage warning visitors of the danger involved in taking selfies at such locations.

In past, the Maharashtra government had taken measures to create awareness through signages indicating danger zones including selfie danger zones.

Wherever feasible, volunteers and tourist police should be deployed. Also, the advisory said, there should be sensitisation through public address system.

Though there are no official statistics available, a number of 'selfie deaths' were reported from time to time.

An international study 'Me, Myself and My Killfie: Characterizing and Preventing Selfie Deaths' conducted between March 2014 and September 2016 had claimed that 60% of all 'selfie deaths' occurred in India.