How not to take a selfie

Photography and travel are inseparable. Today it is difficult to imagine a traveler and a tourist without a camera, because every mobile device is equipped with at least a simple camera. And it was from mobile devices that a new craze began-selfies. Tourists who seek to capture themselves against the background of memorable places and famous sights, fascinating events and beautiful views are no exception to this hobby.

But selfies aren't always as safe as they seem. A whole series of several selfie stories with a tragic end thundered around the world. The danger of "genre" has become so urgent that The Russian Interior Ministry even issued a memo on how to safely take selfies. And many attractions, amusement parks and public places with increased danger have banned the use of selfie sticks on their territory. So, the ban on selfies was introduced by the Disneyland amusement park, the Taj Mahal in India, railway stations in Japan.

However, unfortunate and tragic stories continue to occur in untold numbers around the world. Here's a selection of a few sad stories that lead to excessive selfie craze:

Selfie for crocodile

A funny and, fortunately, not tragic case occurred in the first days of 2017. A married couple of tourists from France tried to take a selfie near the reservoir of the haew Suwat waterfall in the Khao Yai National Park in Thailand with a crocodile, despite warning signs about the danger. The ungrateful animal did not appreciate the opportunity to become the hero of Instagram, and bit the woman on the leg.

"Selfie on the edge"

One of the last tragic stories occurred in July 2016 in the United States on the observation deck of the Ooh Aah Point of the Grand Canyon. The 35-year-old American tourist was so carried away by search of the most successful place for a picture of the beloved that approached too close to a cliff edge, stumbled and fell from height of 120 meters. Despite timely medical assistance, she died.

"Bull or life"

The tragic story occurred on August 10, 2015 in the Spanish city of Villaseca da La Sagra during the traditional festival with the running of the Bulls. 32-year-old Spaniard was so carried away with a selfie, trying to make the riskiest photo against the background of the angry bulls approaching from behind, that he received a blow from one of them in the neck and thigh. He was quickly taken to the hospital, but nothing could be done.

Bull runs are already a dangerous activity, and together with selfies – this is just a deadly number. Now everyone in Spain knows about it, and especially in the city of Villaseca da La Sagra, where after the tragedy the holiday was completely canceled.

"$60 million and 20 years for a selfie!"

A US citizen in September 2014 was so carried away by capturing himself on a video camera that he broke the law and staged one of the most "grandiose" forest fires in the state of California in modern history. He filmed all his actions on a video camera in order to get at least a few minutes of glory. He succeeded, and he became famous throughout the world, because the court found him guilty of arson and causing damage. As a result, the hapless selfiman in 2016 was sentenced to 20 years in prison and a fine of $ 60 million.

By the way, here's what happened to the arsonist operator:

"Deadly lakes"

One of the most dangerous places for selfies were the picturesque Plitvice Lakes in the National Park of Croatia. Only in 2016, as a result of deadly risky photo shoots, 2 tourists died, another was injured but miraculously survived. The reason is banal-the desire to capture yourself against the backdrop of picturesque lakes on the very edge of a high cliff.

"See Machu Picchu and die"

On December 2, 2014, a 51-year-old tourist from Germany decided to take a photo of the ancient city of Machu Picchu from a special place, for which he went behind the fence into the Forbidden Zone. On occasion, there was another tourist from Peru, whom the German asked to photograph him. But even this photo shoot ended in failure, because at the time of the transfer of the camera, the tourist lost his balance and fell from the cliff. He had no chance to survive, as he fell from a height of 40 meters, which is about 12 floors.

"Last selfie at the Taj Mahal"

The administration of the landmark and monument of architectural art of the Taj Mahal mausoleum-mosque in India introduced a ban on selfies after a 66-year-old Japanese tourist fell down the stairs in 2015 while trying to take a photo of his beloved. The tourist was taken to the hospital with injuries,but nothing could be done.

"The death stick"

On July 5, 2015, a resident of the United Kingdom casually strolled through the Brecon Beacons National Park with a selfie stick. Also at ease, he wanted to take a picture of his beloved with a camera mounted on a selfie stick. But for some reason he did not attach any importance to the fact that at that time there was bad weather and a very strong thunderstorm. As a result, a lightning bolt struck the raised selfie stick, the man died on the spot.

In fairness, however, it is worth saying that on the same day in the National Park another person died from lightning, but without a selfie stick.

Well, finally watch a funny video about selfies: