Mumbai enforces selfie-free zones after fatal incidents

In the ongoing battle against dangerous selfies, Mumbai is deploying police patrols to prevent photo-related deaths.

This initiative comes after a series of incidents that have propelled India to the top of global selfie-related fatalities.

Authorities have identified specific spots in Mumbai where they aim to restrict selfie-taking in an effort to prevent further accidents.

'This is a new challenge for us,' says police spokesperson Dhananjay Kulkarni. 'We’ve marked locations in Mumbai where we want to stop people from going to avoid mishaps.'

Recent statistics have placed India at the top of the list for selfie-related fatalities.

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Out of 49 global selfie-related deaths over the past three years, India was responsible for 19, making up almost 40% of the total worldwide fatalities.

In January, a teenager in Chennai tragically lost their life while trying to take a selfie in front of an oncoming train.

Warning signs

In Mumbai, high-risk spots are primarily along the coastline, a hotspot for young people snapping selfies with their phones.

Local news reports that two teenagers tragically drowned on Tuesday while taking selfies during a picnic in Bhiwandi, just outside Mumbai.

READ MORE: How selfie-related fatalities occur

Kulkarni mentions that while some risky spots remain unidentified, officers are already active in the known high-risk areas.

“We’ve stationed officers in these locations and are urging the city council to install warning signs,” he adds.

“We are also urging the authorities to assign lifeguards to these areas to protect people.”

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This initiative follows similar attempts worldwide to limit the use of selfie sticks at popular tourist spots, where their growing presence has led to both frustration and safety concerns.

Landmarks like the Louvre in Paris and theme parks such as Disneyland have recently implemented similar bans on selfie sticks.