A dramatic incident unfolded in China’s Hubei province when a powerful storm caused an outdoor tentage to be lifted into the air, leaving several people clinging onto its poles for dear life.
The event, which occurred on June 11 in Yichang city, Hubei, quickly caught the attention of Chinese media and social media users.
As the storm intensified, images and videos captured the astonishing sight of individuals, including both restaurant patrons and staff, desperately grasping onto the tentage’s poles in a collective effort to prevent it from being carried away by the strong gusts of wind.
Despite their valiant efforts, the power of the storm proved too overwhelming, and the tentage was ultimately lifted high into the air by a forceful gust.
As a result, several people were propelled into the sky, only to be swiftly brought back down to the ground. The chaotic scene left onlookers in awe and disbelief.
One individual, who was carried aloft, experienced a miraculous outcome as they landed on a mahjong table in a private dining room. Although the incident caused quite a scare, fortunately, the person sustained only minor injuries.
Remarkably, they even engaged in conversation with the diners present before departing. Chinese media reports noted that injuries resulting from the incident were relatively minor, although an exact count was not specified.
Responding to the incident, the restaurant’s boss decided to waive the dining fees for all the patrons affected by the unfortunate event.
This act of compassion amounted to approximately RMB50,000 (S$9,400). Understanding the distress and disruption caused to their customers’ dining experiences, the boss made this generous gesture to compensate for the disrupted meals.
As authorities seek to understand the full extent of the incident and its causes, investigations are currently underway. The focus will likely be on factors such as the structural integrity of the tentage and the adherence to safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.