Are selfies more dangerous than sharks?

The Taj Mahal was the latest site of a death-by-selfie situation.

A Japanese tourist fell down the stairs and died while trying to snap a photo of himself and his travel partner.

That takes the death toll from selfie-related accidents to 12. The death toll from shark attacks is at eight.

According to Mashable, falling was the leading cause of selfie deaths, with four people meeting their demise that way.

The Washington Post was quick to point out that this might be comparing "apples to oranges".

Washington Post reporter Caitlin Dewey wrote, "A shark attack is a direct mechanism of death — a thing that produces actual, physical harm. A selfie, on the other hand, is what health statisticians might classify as an 'underlying mechanism' or an 'intermediate mechanism,' depending on the exact circumstances: a thing that's involved in, and maybe precipitates, an accident, but doesn't actually cause any physical harm."

Bottom line: Be careful with your selfies.

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