In a shocking incident on a Juneyao Airlines flight from Guiyang to Shanghai, two passengers locked a crying child in the airplane bathroom on Saturday.
One of the passengers, identified as Gou Tingting, captured the distressing event on video and posted it on Chinese social media. The video quickly went viral, sparking a wave of intense backlash.
What passengers had to do to block the child’s sound
The now-deleted video was originally posted on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok. According to Sixth Tone, a state-run English-language Chinese media outlet, Gou noted in the caption that the toddler’s crying was so loud that passengers resorted to using tissues to block out the sound.
In the video, one of the women can be heard telling the distressed toddler that they wouldn’t let her out unless she stopped crying. This act of locking a crying toddler in an airplane bathroom has understandably led to fierce backlash across China.
The video has ignited a firestorm of criticism and concern over the treatment of children in stressful situations. Social media users and parenting experts alike are condemning the actions of these passengers.
This troubling event highlights the importance of addressing distress in children with compassion and understanding, especially in confined spaces like an airplane. The viral nature of the video serves as a stark reminder of how quickly public opinion can mobilize in the face of perceived injustice.
Recent reports have sparked controversy surrounding Gou’s actions, with some online comments accusing her of “bullying” a child and displaying a lack of empathy, according to the BBC.
Public Concern and Outrage
Many commenters voiced their worries about the potential psychological damage to the child, as highlighted by the outlet. Some even went as far as to share screenshots of police reports they’d filed against the women, as per Sixth Tone.
Authorities’ Response
Despite the public outcry, the Guizhou Airport Public Security Bureau did not charge Gou or the other woman involved. Sixth Tone reported that the child’s grandparents had actually requested their assistance.
Incident Confirmation by Juneyao Airlines
Juneyao Airlines confirmed the incident in a Weibo post on Monday. The post stated that the child’s grandparents had given their consent for strangers to take the child to the bathroom to “educate her.” The airline also mentioned that the grandmother was present at the restroom door during the entire incident.