In a tragic incident, an 18-year-old youth lost his life while attempting to shoot a social media video, underscoring the risks associated with unsafe content creation.
The deceased, identified as Mohammad Zakir, reportedly locked himself inside a room at his residence on April 5 to record a reel depicting a hanging scene.
Attempt to film turns fatal
According to police, Zakir accidentally lost his balance during the act, causing the noose to tighten around his neck. The situation quickly turned fatal as he was unable to free himself.
At the time of the incident, his mother, Shehnaz Bano, was at home but in another part of the house, unaware of what was unfolding.
Family discovers him unconscious
When Zakir did not respond for a prolonged period, his mother grew concerned and knocked on the door. After receiving no response, she alerted neighbours, who helped break open the door.
Zakir was found hanging unconscious. He was immediately brought down and rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
Battle for life ends in grief
Zakir was admitted to the emergency ward, where he remained under intensive medical care for three days. Despite efforts by doctors, he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday morning.
Police have sent the body for post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
Social media influence under scrutiny
Investigators recovered Zakir’s mobile phone from the room, which reportedly contained the last video he had attempted to record. The device has been sent to a forensic science laboratory for further analysis.
Officials said Zakir was active on Instagram, where he had around 1,700 followers and regularly shared content.
A reminder on safety and awareness
The incident has raised concerns about the growing trend of attempting risky stunts for social media attention, particularly among young users.
Authorities and experts have repeatedly warned about the dangers of recreating hazardous scenes without proper safety measures.
Zakir, who had discontinued his education after Class 8, came from a modest background. His father works in the scrap business, and he was the third among four siblings.
Urgent need for awareness
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of awareness and caution while creating content. As social media continues to influence young minds, experts stress the need for guidance, supervision, and responsible behaviour.