Video: Tourists in China horrified as glass bridge cracks

World Today

Cracks Appear in New Glass Skywalk at Yuntai Mountain ResortCracks Appear in New Glass Skywalk at Yuntai Mountain Resort

The Yuntaishan glass bridge developed a crack on October 5, 2015, causing panic among the holidaymakers who visit the tourist attraction for a thrill. The bridge is located in Central China’s Henan province.

“I heard a bang from under…Everybody is screaming. I cried, ‘It’s really cracked! It’s really cracked!’ And pushed the people in front of me to get away.” someone posted on Sina Weibo.

A staff member of the Yuntaishan resort confirmed to People’s Daily in China that the path had indeed been broken and that it has been closed for the time being. Tourists were evacuated from the scene.

The staff member said that the crack happened because of a heavy thermos which was dropped by a visitor. One of the layers of the glass path was then broken.

The glass path was originally just opened on September 20, 2015.

Constructed along a U-shaped cliff, it is 68 meters in length and overlooks a thousand-meter mountain. The glass is said to be able to carry up to 800 kilograms per square meter. The walkway is suspended at a height of about 1,080 meters, or 3,543 feet.

yuntaishan

“Yuntaishan Glass Bridge cracked at the end of the bridge and I heard a loud noise and felt vibrations. Then I found the glass under my feet was cracked. Everyone screamed and ran away.” —- Weibo user lidonghaishuohezainihaowodeai

The Henan Yuntai Mountain Scenic Area Administration sent out an official statement on Chinese social media site Weibo on October 6th. The statement said security officers found a crack on the glass cliff walkway and reported to the officer in charge at the time. To ensure safety, the administration temporarily closed the glass cliff, and security experts were organized to delve into the cause of the accident. According to the administration official, the investigation afterwards showed that due to external forces, one of the three panes of glass cracked, which posed no threats to tourists’ safety and would be 100 percent safe.

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In order to assure the travelers’ safety, the Scenic Area Authority decided to suspend the glass plank site and would make it accessible after repairs. The authority also cited some similar accidents that happened before, including the shattering of a glass walkway on London Tower Bridge, which posed no threats to public safety.

Photo from Weibo

Photo from Weibo

Information gathered from China Peoples Daily

The bridge opened a few weeks ago.