Via
News on Japan April 25, 2012
Yesterday the world was stunned by the
CCTV video of a teenage Chinese girl falling into a six-meter (19-foot) deep sidewalk hole in the city of Xi'an in northern China. She was rescued by taxi driver Wang Wei and the local fire department. She was unhurt and according to CNN her parents contacted Wang Wei to thank him for his brave rescue. Here is a news video about this from
The Huffington Post:
Taxi driver turned hero - Wang Wei:
The article in the Huffington post also mentions that earlier this month
a woman in Beijing died after a sidewalk collapse sent her plummeting into a pool of scalding water. But what the Huff Post and other mass media news organizations did not report is that this kind of accident occurs fairly often throughout China.
According to the blogger
Liuzhou Laowai there have been many people (and at least one water buffalo) of
Liuzhou, China that have unfortunately fallen into sidewalk holes, wells and cesspools. Most were taken to the hospital and treated for injuries but some did not make it. This blogger has been reporting and joking about the "ancient and noble art" of
falling down holes for many years now and has a
shocking archive of such accidents.
So why does this happen so often in China? Well, apparently, the necessary safety regulations either don't exist or they are not followed by companies involved in road work, sidewalk work and other public projects. Also, according to the
Liuzhou Laowai "manhole covers are also regularly stolen for their scrap metal value".
O.O
So why is that so? Well the only answer available for that inquiry is "Because China".
Related:
Why, China Why? Because China #3
Here is what happened when one homeowner refused to move for the construction of a new road in Wenling, Zhejiang, China. Perhaps the owner has a plan to open up a drive-through fast food restaurant? Or maybe this will become China's first genuine Roadhouse Blues bar and grill? Either way one can't help but think of this old hit pop song by Madness:
FLASH NEWS UPDATE: This story has now broken into the mainstream news. The owner is named Luo Baogen and he refuses to move as he claims that the Chinese government's relocation compensation offer was too low. He is now labeled as a "Nail Householder". Continued...
Update: This house was recently destroyed after duck farmer Luo Baogen and his wife, agreed to accept compensation of 260,000 yuan ($41,000). Lone Chinese Home Destroyed (12-01-2012)
Update: One of our readers has submitted the following information and embedded photo:
Related:
Because China: 1 Flatbed Hauling 18 Pickups
Because China: Telephone Pole Repair Work
The Truth on China's Dangerous Holes
