Chinese neighbours trapped in mountains ignore rescue calls over spiritual fears
Two individuals in Beijing found themselves trapped in a mountain but refused rescue due to a superstition that responding to strangers brings bad luck. The police and firefighters in the Huairou district received a call on the evening of July 29, reporting that two neighbours from a nearby village had gone missing while foraging for herbs in a wild mountain area. The pair, a 73-year-old man and…
A unique incident in Beijing's Huairou district has highlighted the impact of superstition on human behavior during a life-threatening situation. Two elderly individuals, a 73-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman, were found trapped in a mountain after going foraging for herbs. Despite being reported missing and in desperate need of rescue, the pair ignored calls for help due to a deeply held belief that responding to strangers in the mountains brings bad luck.
This superstition, rooted in Chinese folklore, warns against answering voices in the wilderness, fearing that demons or wandering spirits might mimic familiar voices, leading to danger. The rescuers, working tirelessly for 17 hours, eventually located the pair. The incident has sparked discussions online, reflecting the public's empathy for the elderly and the challenges posed by such superstitions, especially in emergency situations.
Brief written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's own syndicated text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
