BEIJING, China: A glass platform at Baoquan Cliff World Scenic Area cracked after a teenager allegedly struck it with an umbrella, the South China Morning Post reported.
The incident occurred on June 20 at the national 5A-rated tourist site in Henan Province. Staff evacuated visitors after the crack appeared on the scenic area’s signature glass viewing platform.
A spokesperson for the scenic area said a teenage boy poked the glass with an umbrella. The spokesperson said only the top layer of one panel cracked.
He said staff responded quickly and there was no risk to public safety. The damaged panel is being repaired.
The area around the cracked section has been cordoned off. However, the rest of the glass platform remains open to visitors.
Baoquan Cliff World is home to the world’s largest glass viewing platform, according to Guinness World Records.
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Guinness said the cloud-shaped, double-layer platform has more than 1,700 square metres of glass walkways. It offers views of the red sandstone cliffs of the Taihang Mountains.
The scenic area said the platform uses triple-laminated safety glass. It said the structure’s load-bearing capacity and overall safety were not affected.
The incident sparked debate on Chinese social media. Some users said the teenager and his parents should be held accountable.
Others questioned whether the platform should meet a higher safety standard. A staff member from the scenic area said the glass panels complied with national standards.
Tourism researcher Yang Yanfeng of the Beijing Union University Tourism Institute said glass walkways had become popular as smaller tourist sites sought more visitors.
China Newsweek reported in 2019 that China had more than 2,000 glass walkways and viewing platforms in tourist areas.
