Chinese Embassy issues warning after Chinese tourist critically injured attempting ‘train hanging’ stunt in Sri Lanka

A Chinese tourist in Sri Lanka suffered critical injuries on March 9 after striking a railway tunnel while leaning out of a moving train to recreate the viral "train hanging" photo trend. In response, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka issued an urgent statement, strongly advising travelers to prioritize safety over social media trends, and warning of the extreme risks posed by such reckless behavior.

A 35-year-old Chinese female tourist in Sri Lanka was severely injured while imitating popular social media photo poses. While the train was in motion, she leaned out and hit her head against the 19th railway tunnel in Idalgashinna and subsequently fell from the train, according to reports from local media in Sri Lanka.

She was quickly taken to a nearby hospital for emergency care before being transferred twice to other medical facilities. The hospital stated that she sustained severe head and leg injuries, and her condition remains critical.

Sri Lanka's iconic trains along tea plantation and ocean routes are highly popular among tourists, said the domestic media outlet. Many travel guides on social media feature eye-catching poses, such as leaning out of moving trains or "train hanging," a dangerous stunt involving dangling outside carriages. 

Local guide Krish was cited by the media as saying that this has almost become a ritual for tourists in Sri Lanka. "I've seen countless social media posts featuring such photos and videos, which ironically attract more imitators," Krish said. He emphasized that while Chinese tourists are frequently associated with this trend, it's prevalent across all nationalities, particularly Western tourists. 

Krish also said that in recent years, these reckless stunts have led to multiple injuries and fatalities. The danger cannot be overstated.

He noted that Sri Lanka offers special low-speed tourist trains for safer photography, but many visitors are unaware of this option. 

The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka released updated safety guideline following the incident, emphasizing tourist vigilance. The guideline explicitly warned against risky behaviors like leaning out of moving trains or standing near carriage doors. It also cautioned travelers to stay clear of railway tracks, highlighting that many crossings lack protective barriers. Additional recommendations included using certified transportation providers, double-checking route safety—especially in isolated regions—and maintaining heightened awareness of potential risks during travels.