Photo: screenshot of video posted on Sina Weibo

 
Has taking selfies become a deadly extreme sport? The answer is yes.

On Monday, the news that more people have died while taking selfies in India than any other place around the world shocked Chinese netizens, who took to social media to provide tips on how to safely take memorable photos without putting one's life in danger. 

China Central Television (CCTV) uploaded a video clip on China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo On Monday, showing several Indians taking selfies during a thunderstorm and while standing dangerously close to a rapidly moving train.

"India has the highest death rate in the world due to selfies taken on mobile phones in dangerous areas, according to a US research institute," the CCTV post said.

After the initial post, more Chinese began unearthing and uploading clips of such incidents, including one clip of an Indian man laying down on the ground as a flood rages in the background; the man quickly disappears after the ground collapses. 

"After watching these video clips, I understood why selfies could lead to someone's death. Now I have a new question: Why do Indians choose to take selfies in such dangerous places?" one netizen commented on Sina Weibo.

Soon after, some accounts stepped in to take the discussion in a more positive direction by sharing tips to inform people how to take selfies safely.

The official Sina Weibo account of the Hunan Fire and Rescue Corps uploaded a group of photos, listing nine dangerous places to avoid taking photos, including on roads, beside railroads, on roofs and next to wild animals.

The post was highly complimented by Chinese netizens, who suggested Indian netizens learning more safety tips to protect themselves.

"I always tell myself that safety comes first over when traveling in scenic areas and want to take selfies. Once I refused to take photos by a cliff," Fang Ran, a 27-year-old selfie lover, told the Global Times on Tuesday. 

A lightning strike killed at least 16 people and injured many more in Jaipur, India on Sunday, according to a BBC report.

The victims were taking selfies in the rain on top of a watch tower at the city's 12th century Amer Fort, a popular tourist attraction.