"What’s the Big Deal About the Perfect Shot?"... Chinese Tourist in Critical Condition After Hanging from Sri Lanka Train for Photo

Fatalities Result from the 'Challenge' Trend

A Chinese tourist traveling in Sri Lanka clung to a train and leaned out to take a 'life shot,' but collided with a tunnel and fell into a critical condition.

Tourists leaning out of a moving train to take photos. Photo by South China Morning Post (SCMP), Hong Kong

On the 14th, the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that on March 9th, a Chinese woman traveling in Sri Lanka leaned out of a train and hit her head on a tunnel. She was immediately transported to a hospital but suffered a severe head injury and fell into a critical condition. Since the local hospital was not equipped to treat her, she was transferred to a larger hospital in the city. SCMP added that her exact current condition is unknown.

The day after the accident, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka issued a statement reporting the incident. They urged, "Please refrain from actions such as hanging out of train doors or leaning out of trains to take photos." They also warned tourists not to stay near railway tracks.

A tour guide in Sri Lanka said, "Almost all tourists visiting Sri Lanka lean on running trains or hang their bodies outside the train to take photos. Many tourists imitate photos or videos seen on social media (SNS)." He emphasized, "Many people have been injured or died over the past few years. This trend is very dangerous."

Sri Lanka has many local trains, and leaning out of these trains to take photos has become a 'challenge.' Not only this woman, but another Chinese tourist last December reportedly fainted after getting caught on a tree branch while attempting the same stunt. Fortunately, he only suffered minor injuries. In February, a 53-year-old Russian tourist also died after falling while leaning out of a train to take a photo.

Similar accidents have occurred not only in Sri Lanka but also in Thailand. Last year, a teenage youth leaned out of a moving train, hit a pillar, lost consciousness, and fell onto the tracks. Fortunately, there was no direct brain damage, but swelling and a lump were found on the head. It is estimated that the damage was limited because the train was moving slowly at the time.