In a trend that is unlikely to abate any time soon, people engrossed in their mobile phones risked their lives for content. A viral video from China shows tourists caught out by surging waters on the Qiantang River.
The Qiantang River flows through the Chinese province of Zhejiang on the eastern coast, just below Shanghai. The video of tourists on the river’s edge, posted on X, is allegedly from a couple of days ago. Though we can’t confirm the video’s authenticity, it appears to show a huge tidal bore rushing up the river and then engulfing a group of around 20 people filming or photographing the incoming wave. The water sweeps some people away and it isn’t immediately apparent if everyone is accounted for as the water recedes.
The video, with a warning that the content could be distressing, can be viewed below.
WARNING – disturbing (And I post this as a warning).
Another video of people taking dangerous selfies. This is Qiantang River in China a couple of days ago….😳pic.twitter.com/0P5JhX2FTH
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) September 8, 2024
The surge could be because of typhoon Yagi, a superstorm that has left a trail of destruction in its wake across the Philippines, south-eastern China, and north Vietnam. Asia’s largest storm of the year, Yagi has killed at least 141 people in Vietnam.
Unnecessary risks?
This is not the first phone-related death we’ve covered this summer. In mid-August, Czech gymnast Natalie Stichova fell to her death in Germany while trying to get in position for an Instagram photo with the famous Neuschwanstein Castle.
