"Why Are They Doing This?" Bizarre 'Streetlight Challenge' Involving Leg-Wrapping Leads to Police Callouts

'Streetlight Challenge' Spreads in China
Police Urge: "Refrain from Reckless Imitation"

Streetlight Challenge Trending Recently in China. SNS Screenshot

The so-called "Streetlight Challenge," in which participants wrap their legs around a streetlight pole and hang from it, is trending in China. There have been frequent incidents where young people attempting the challenge are unable to release themselves from the position, prompting rescue teams to be dispatched.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 22nd, the streetlight hanging challenge has recently been spreading across Chinese social networking services (SNS). In this challenge, participants twist their legs around a streetlight pole and sit, then attempt to release themselves from the position. Although it may appear easy at first glance, many challengers are surprised to find they cannot free themselves on their own.

Rescue Teams Dispatched Due to Absurd Challenge

In Jiangsu Province, eastern China, a woman who was taking a walk after dinner attempted the challenge and ended up with her legs tangled around the pole, leading her to call the police for help. The more she struggled to free herself, the more tightly her legs became entangled. When the police arrived in response to the call, they calmed her down and helped release her legs from the pole. After being rescued, the woman reportedly complained of temporary numbness in her legs.

The recent streetlight challenge trending in China. Screenshot from social media.

Safety Concerns: Knee Injuries and Vascular Compression

Experts point out that this challenge involves movements that are dangerous due to the structure of the human body. They explain that excessively bending and twisting the knee joints to support one's body weight carries a high risk of ligament injury, and that if the blood vessels in the lower body are continuously compressed, symptoms such as numbness and swelling can occur—and in severe cases, this can even lead to tissue necrosis.

Recently, similar types of "extreme challenges" have been emerging one after another in China. These include content such as tying ankles with cable ties or forcing oneself into narrow spaces.

Local police have cautioned, "Recklessly following online trends can lead to unexpected accidents," and advised, "People should refrain from engaging in actions that put themselves at risk."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.