Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

Russian police launch ‘safe selfie’ guide after spate of deaths

-

Russian police on Tuesday launched a campaign urging people to take safer selfies after around 100 were injured and dozens died this year in gruesome accidents while striking high-risk poses.

"A cool selfie could cost you your life," the interior ministry warned in a new leaflet packed with tips such as "a selfie with a weapon kills".

That warning comes after a 21-year-old woman in Moscow accidentally shot herself in the head in May while taking a selfie while holding a pistol. She suffered head injuries but survived.

That was just one in a string of recent selfie-related accidents.

In January, two young men blew themselves up in the Urals while taking a selfie holding a hand grenade with the pin pulled out. The cell phone with the selfie survived as a record.

A man takes a selfie with Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) shortly after his annual televised ph...
A man takes a selfie with Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) shortly after his annual televised phone-in with the nation in central Moscow on April 16, 2015
Alexei Druzhinin, RIA Novosti/AFP/File

In May, a teenager in the Ryazan region died while attempting to take a selfie as he climbed on a railway bridge and accidentally came into contact with live wires.

"Unfortunately we have noted recently that the number of accidents caused by lovers of self-photography is constantly increasing," said Yelena Alexeyeva, an aide to the interior minister.

"Since the beginning of the year we are talking about some hundred cases of injuries for sure."

Selfies have also led to "dozens of deadly accidents," she added.

"The problem really exists and leads to very unfortunate consequences."

- 'Value your life' -

Hence the new campaign, which includes the leaflets, a video and online advice on the ministry's website.

The campaign uses warning signs in the style of road signs to drive its message home, although its basic graphics appear unlikely to appeal to teenagers.

Women pose for a selfie in front of the historical Place of Execution decorated with a banner for th...
Women pose for a selfie in front of the historical Place of Execution decorated with a banner for the upcoming Victory Day celebrations on the Red Square in central Moscow, on April 30, 2015
Kirill Kudryavtsev, AFP/File

A figure holding a selfie stick wanders on a rail line in one image. "A selfie on the railway tracks is a bad idea if you value your life," the leaflet says.

In another of the warning signs, which can be viewed at https://mvd.ru/safety_selfie, a figure clambers on an electricity pylon, while taking a selfie.

The ministry has also created a public safety video, set to a driving beat.

It includes spectacular images shot by Russia's youth subculture of "roofers" - who illicitly sneak into high-rise buildings and snap themselves on the top, their photos often going viral on social networking sites.

"Before taking a selfie, everyone should think about the fact that racing after a high number of 'likes' could lead him on a journey to death and his last extreme photo could turn out to be posthumous," Alexeyeva warned.

Russian police on Tuesday launched a campaign urging people to take safer selfies after around 100 were injured and dozens died this year in gruesome accidents while striking high-risk poses.

“A cool selfie could cost you your life,” the interior ministry warned in a new leaflet packed with tips such as “a selfie with a weapon kills”.

That warning comes after a 21-year-old woman in Moscow accidentally shot herself in the head in May while taking a selfie while holding a pistol. She suffered head injuries but survived.

That was just one in a string of recent selfie-related accidents.

In January, two young men blew themselves up in the Urals while taking a selfie holding a hand grenade with the pin pulled out. The cell phone with the selfie survived as a record.

A man takes a selfie with Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) shortly after his annual televised ph...

A man takes a selfie with Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) shortly after his annual televised phone-in with the nation in central Moscow on April 16, 2015
Alexei Druzhinin, RIA Novosti/AFP/File

In May, a teenager in the Ryazan region died while attempting to take a selfie as he climbed on a railway bridge and accidentally came into contact with live wires.

“Unfortunately we have noted recently that the number of accidents caused by lovers of self-photography is constantly increasing,” said Yelena Alexeyeva, an aide to the interior minister.

“Since the beginning of the year we are talking about some hundred cases of injuries for sure.”

Selfies have also led to “dozens of deadly accidents,” she added.

“The problem really exists and leads to very unfortunate consequences.”

– ‘Value your life’ –

Hence the new campaign, which includes the leaflets, a video and online advice on the ministry’s website.

The campaign uses warning signs in the style of road signs to drive its message home, although its basic graphics appear unlikely to appeal to teenagers.

Women pose for a selfie in front of the historical Place of Execution decorated with a banner for th...

Women pose for a selfie in front of the historical Place of Execution decorated with a banner for the upcoming Victory Day celebrations on the Red Square in central Moscow, on April 30, 2015
Kirill Kudryavtsev, AFP/File

A figure holding a selfie stick wanders on a rail line in one image. “A selfie on the railway tracks is a bad idea if you value your life,” the leaflet says.

In another of the warning signs, which can be viewed at https://mvd.ru/safety_selfie, a figure clambers on an electricity pylon, while taking a selfie.

The ministry has also created a public safety video, set to a driving beat.

It includes spectacular images shot by Russia’s youth subculture of “roofers” – who illicitly sneak into high-rise buildings and snap themselves on the top, their photos often going viral on social networking sites.

“Before taking a selfie, everyone should think about the fact that racing after a high number of ‘likes’ could lead him on a journey to death and his last extreme photo could turn out to be posthumous,” Alexeyeva warned.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

Social Media

Wanna buy some ignorance? You’re in luck.

Business

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the carrier was reviewing recent incidents and would redouble safety initiatives as needed - Copyright AFP Logan CyrusUnited...

World

US President Joe Biden speaks during a reception honoring Women's History Month at the White House - Copyright AFP Brendan SMIALOWSKIDanny KEMPUS President Joe...

Business

A Milei marks 100 days in office, thousands protest his austerity measures - Copyright AFP Luis ROBAYOLeila MACORArgentina’s President Javier Milei has slashed public...