“She Shouted, ‘The Rope Isn’t Tied!’... Chinese Woman Falls from 168m Cliff Swing”

A teenage woman died after falling from a "cliff swing" experience in China. Cliff swings, which are constructed near cliffs, have recently become a popular extreme leisure activity in China, but there have been ongoing criticisms regarding inadequate safety management.

According to local media reports, including the Shangliu News on May 5 (local time), the accident occurred on May 3, during the Labor Day holiday, at a 168-meter-high waterfall in Malyuyan Exploration Park in Huaying City, Sichuan Province. The teenage female tourist fell while riding the cliff swing. She was seriously injured and was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, but ultimately passed away.

The cliff swing where the accident occurred. Screenshot from Douyin

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A video of the accident was uploaded to social media, sparking controversy. The footage shows the victim repeatedly shouting that "the rope is not properly tied," while a safety staff member is seen unfastening the securing rope and dropping the swing.

The Huaying City Disaster Management Bureau has tentatively determined that the accident was caused by insufficient safety management by the company, and further investigation is underway. The cliff swing where the accident occurred has been closed.

The cliff swing in question was opened by Chongqing Exploration Camp on March 15. The usage fee is 398 yuan (about 85,000 won), and visitors must also pay a separate insurance fee of 15 yuan (3,200 won).

Cliff swings have gained popularity as an extreme leisure sport in China, but as they have rapidly proliferated, the number of sites with inadequate safety management has also increased. In response, the Chinese government has strengthened safety management requirements for cliff swings, but it has been reported that some operators are still running facilities that do not meet the standards.

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