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Three Indian teens crushed by train while taking selfies, highlighting risks of social media obsession

  • Experts warn youngsters obsessed with social media are going to extreme lengths to post selfies seen as daring and risky
  • The highest number of incidents and selfie deaths occur in India, followed by Russia, United States and Pakistan

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A study last year by researchers from the All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences said 259 people across the world had died while taking selfies between 2011 and 2017. Photo: EPA

Three teenagers were killed while taking selfies on a railway track in India, the country which researchers say has the worst record for selfie-related deaths.

A fourth youth managed to jump to safety before the accident in Panipat city in the northern state of Haryana, a police officer said on Wednesday.

“The victims were busy taking selfies and when they saw a train approaching they jumped to a second track without realising another train was coming on that,” M. S. Dabas said. “One of them saved his life as he jumped on the other side of the track.”

The group had come to Panipat to attend a wedding. Two of those killed were 19 years old and the third was 18.

Experts warn youngsters obsessed with social media are going to extreme lengths to post selfies seen as daring and risky.

A study last year by researchers from the All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences said 259 people across the world had died while taking selfies between 2011 and 2017.

The highest number of incidents and selfie deaths were reported in India followed by Russia, United States, and Pakistan, the study said.

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