Russia: Safety campaign pamphlet issued by police warns 'a selfie with a weapon kills'

Authorities in Russia have published a guide to taking selfies more safely due to an increase in the number of people killed or hurt while taking self portraits.

This year, around 10 people have been killed and 100 injured while posing with a loaded gun, a hand grenade, climbing to the top of railway bridges, or posing with a tiger.

The safety campaign has used road sign iconography and images to put across the message, according to a Guardian report.

These include a figure taking a selfie at the top of an electricity pylon and another holding a selfie stick on a railway line.

The Russian interior ministry published a leaflet which warned: "A cool selfie could cost you your life.

There is also the gentle reminder that "a selfie with a weapon kills".

In one image, a figure holding a selfie stick wanders on a rail track. "A selfie on the railway tracks is a bad idea if you value your life," the leaflet says. In another of the warning signs, a figure climbs on an electricity pylon while taking a selfie.

Recent fatalities include a 21-year-old Moscow woman who accidentally shot herself in the head in May while taking a selfie and holding a pistol. Luckily she survived the accident.

At the start of the year, two youths blew themselves up in the Urals while taking a selfie holding a hand grenade with the pin pulled out.

Yelena Alexeyeva, an aide to the interior minister, said: "Unfortunately we have noted recently that the number of accidents caused by lovers of self-photography is constantly increasing.

"Since the beginning of the year we are talking about some hundred cases of injuries for sure."

She also said selfies had caused "dozens of deadly accidents".

Ms Alexeyeva added: "The problem really exists and leads to very unfortunate consequences.

"Before taking a selfie, everyone should think about the fact that racing after a high number of 'likes' could lead him on a journey to death and his last extreme photo could turn out to be posthumous."