States asked to mark 'Selfie Danger Zone' at tourist sites

In the wake of several deaths reported while taking selfies in the recent past, the Centre today issued an advisory to state governments to mark 'Selfie Danger Zone' at accident-prone locations of tourist sites.

In a letter to Principal Secretary/Secretary of Tourism Department in states and UTs, Tourism Ministry Additional Director General Meenakshi Sharma said, "It is advised that you may put up proper signages marking all such areas and zones as 'Selfie Danger Zones'."

She asked them to identify all such tourist spots which are prone to accidents and erect signages warning visitors, besides posting volunteers or tourist police at such sites. Sharma also asked the officials to barricade areas, wherever "possible danger" is identified and urged for spreading awareness through social and other media campaigns.

In recent times, there have been several accidents while taking selfies at accident-prone locations in tourist sites. A Tourism Ministry official said the decision to issue advisory ahead of Independence Day is part of security measures being implemented for the celebrations.

Last year, India reportedly had the highest number of deaths among people trying to take selfies 15 of the total 27 in the world. Among the people who died while taking selfies was a Japanese tourist, who fell down the stairs while taking apicture of himself at Taj Mahal last September.

In another incident in March last year, seven students drowned in a lake in Nagpur after their boat capsized when the boys tilted to one side of the boat to take a picture.