Most Dangerous Selfies Ever Taken
We know travel plans are impacted right now. But to fulfill your wanderlust, we'll continue to share stories that can inspire your next adventure.
At this point, almost everyone has taken out their smartphone to snap a photo of themselves. In fact, you can probably find a selfie on your social media right now. (No need to check; you already know it's true.)
But when taken in dangerous circumstances, selfies can also be deadly. Between 2011 and 2017, 259 people died in the pursuit of one, according to a study published by Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.
Oftentimes, these dangerous selfies are taken while traveling, with people scaling skyscrapers, cliffs and bridges to capture a photo to remember. Some people regularly take photos they know to be precarious; others have posted a questionable shot or two, perhaps because they didn't fully understand the risks involved.
If you want to take an amazing selfie, absolutely go for it. But the following shots, we think, took things too far.
#PleaseDontTryThisAtHome
Like many photos on this list, this Instagram shot from Tianjin, China — taken by Angela Nikolau, who regularly risks her life in pursuit of a hair-raising pic — is hashtagged @DangerousSelfie. Some might even say too dangerous. (How did she even get there?!)
We Have No Words.
Like many on our list, this adventurous selfie-taker seems well aware of the risks involved. "Do you know how many people in the world have died due to selfie incidents?" he asks in the caption.
As a matter of fact, we do. And frankly, we're disturbed. (Also, isn't that a perfectly good and supported platform beside them that they could've taken a photo from instead?)
How's the Weather Up There?
The Brazilian tourism board actually challenged travel blogger and photographer Lee Thompson to take this selfie from the top of Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue.
He did and, thankfully, survived to tell the tale.
We Hope He Is a Trained Stuntman
Train selfies became such a problem in places like Sri Lanka and India that they have been banned.
Wow. Just Wow.
This is just one of many gasp-inducing pictures snapped by Daniel Lau, one of the world's most well-known daredevil photographers. On Instagram, he'll often share details about the lengths he goes to get the perfect, completely dangerous shot.
In this photo, the skyscrapers of Hong Kong set the shocking scene.
These Guys Look Way Too Happy and Calm
Like Daniel Lau, Alexander Remnev is well-known for his selfie stunts. Here, he poses with friends in Shanghai, looking like he hasn't got a care in the world.
What Is There to Be Worried About?
And here again we have Alexander Remnev, this time perched over the skyline in Hong Kong, looking extremely chilled out while gambling with his life.
Is Anyone Else Feeling Nauseous?
This pic from Yekaterinburg, Russia, is dizzying and more than a little alarming.
In recent years, Russia in particular has seen an influx in young thrill-seekers taking dangerous selfies. There have been so many injuries and deaths that the Russian Interior Ministry launched a "safe selfie" campaign a couple years ago.
Seriously. Why?
Rio de Janeiro's Serra do Mar features a stunning gorge bridge with active trains. For the last few years, risk-takers have made their way onto its trestles for insane selfies.
Nearly a dozen people have fallen off of bridges taking selfies since 2014, including a woman who tumbled from Spain's Puente de Triana bridge.
Forget the Phone and Run!
@nbaloca_/Instagram
The running of the bulls in Pamplona dates back to 1591. Three people were gored at the 2019 running of the bulls, without taking selfies, so maybe snapping a pic while fleeing isn't the wisest?
It's Getting Hot in Here
So many people are taking volcano selfies that the Royal Geographic Society in the UK has been warning people to stop due to deadly falls.
Too Hot to Handle
National Geographic explorer and "storm chaser" George Kourounis is known for his, frankly, kind of insane photos and selfies. This one, taken near Vanuatu's Ambrym volcano, is the most frightful of all.
Good thing he was wearing that protective suit!
At Least He's Aware That It's Dumb?
Once again, this photographer is fully aware of the dangers involved in his stunting. "I don't always take selfies, but when I do; they're dangerous," he writes, before noting that he likes to "stand on the edge of a bunch of stupid s***."
In this case, what he's standing on the edge of is a canyon in Utah's Canyonlands National Park.
This Is About to Take a Bad Turn
@wild_life_85/Instagram
A male California sea lion can weight 660 pounds, so turning your back on one is a bad idea — as this selfie-taker discovered when the wild animal decided to bite.
That Is a Long Way Down
Tiger Leaping Gorge trail in China reaches 8,694 feet and is considered a dangerous trek for hikers, let alone risk-taking selfie-shooters.
The Epitome of a Travel Shot
Lots of hikers at Horseshoe Bend, Arizona, want to nab the perfect selfie. Unfortunately, two selfie-related deaths have taken place here since 2018.
Photoshop Would Be Easier
@roxlazea/Instagram
We get it, Horseshoe Bend is a stunning photo backdrop. But be careful out there, folks!
Something We Won't Be Trying Anytime Soon...
More people have died taking selfies than from shark attacks, so it looks like this daredevil is tempting death while encouraging others to do the same.
But read the Instagram caption, and you'll see that he's actually advocating for responsible behavior. "I have been diving for over a decade and done 1000's of dives around the world," he says. "I have spent a lot of time in the water gaining experience. It is important that you get specific training before just jumping in the water with sharks. It's better for us and the sharks this way."
Listen to Your Boyfriend
This woman's boyfriend hashtagged "don't try this at home," "leave it to the selfie pros" and "dangerous woman" about her selfie at Rolley Falls in British Columbia. Umm, yeah.
What If It Gets Windy?!
This photo taken in New York City is part of a trend known as “skywalking” or “roofing" — many travelers, usually young men, are scaling tall buildings to take stomach-churning selfies.
What a Place to Pop a Squat
No big surprise here: "Roofies" can be fatal. But stories of fatalities, like the teen who fell to his death from a rooftop mall, don't seem to be stopping people from acting like hotshots on social media.
Too High!
This selfie-taker captioned his photo with, "Needed to take my artistic mind to a higher level..."
OK, cool. But this makes our rational minds hurt.
Never Do This Alone
A man fell to his death at the Grand Canyon in April, but that didn't deter this man from snatching a selfie. At least he's not at the very edge?
Don't Turn Your Back to the Ocean
A photographer in San Diego shot this seconds before the couple was drenched by the waves. Remember, folks: The ocean is unpredictable!
No. Just No.
Taking in the views of Mistras, Greece, from the top of Villehardouin's Castle is acceptable. Sitting on the edge is less advisable.
She Really Needs to Reevaluate Her Friendships
The caption for this Instagram shot, translated to English, says it all: "What some people would not do for a selfie."
What friend thought taking a photo of a friend goofing off like this for a photo was a good idea?
Which Is Worse? The Photographer or the Person Filming This?
This man took a selfie as a speeding train passed by, with a friend videotaping the entire thing. In 2018, a man was hit by a train trying to take the perfect picture.
That Gator Looks Way Too Hungry
Granted, fatal alligator attacks are super rare; since 1973, there have only been 24 reported. Nonetheless, we probably wouldn't want to get close to a gator in pursuit of a great selfie, as this guy did in the Florida Everglades.
Public Service Announcement
Alligators can run 20 miles per hour. We are just sayin'.
For the Last Time
Luckily the lions are too busy eating to make these guys lunch.
This Might Sting a Little
This photo from Jellyfish Lake in Palau, Oceania, actually looks way more dangerous than it is. The lake is considered safe for snorkeling, with only scuba diving off-limits to tourists — not because of the jellyfish, but due to high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide in the water.
Still, would we attempt this shot? Yeah, probably not.
Out of This World
Japanese astronaut bravely took this shot, which required a special camera, while visiting the International Space Station. Some outlets have taken to calling it a "spacie."
Living on the Edge
Even cats, it seems, are getting in on the dangerous selfie trend...
Too Close, Man. Too Close.
This man climbed Mount Evans in the Rocky Mountains and knew his cliffside shot was dangerous — he even joked about giving his mom a heart attack. We're having a heart attack!
Her Face Sums Up Our Emotions
He hashtagged "havin fun" and called her "so brave," but we are feeling her pain as she sits on the edge of Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh. It's hard to tell from this shot, but the ancient volcano is more than 800 feet high.
We All Want World Peace...
While balancing on a rock staircase in Oran, Algeria, this hiker flashed a peace-sign gesture.
Considering that, in 2015, a tourist died after falling down a staircase while taking a selfie at the Taj Mahal, this photo makes us feel decidedly not at peace.
Even High-Flying Peace
Sports selfies are on the rise, as well. This French skier got a great shot, but did he land on his feet? We never see the after-selfie.
Watch the Road!
This selfie-snapper took pride in taking his picture while driving, saying he was merely "clowning around." According to the National Safety Council, 1.6 million crashes a year are caused by cell-phone use while driving. And while that research didn't account for this particular type of cell-phone use, it's safe to say "clowning around" like this is highly irresponsible.
In 3-2-1...
Imgur
While videoing his drive, this man was so focused on his selfie-stick that he missed the brake lights on the car driving in front of him. The video continues as he crashes into the canoe and truck.
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