A heartbreaking incident has occurred at a shopping mall in Zhejiang Province, China. A three-year-old child died after a milk tea tapioca bubble got stuck in his throat.
On 19 October, the child went to play on a trampoline after drinking a sip of milk tea from his mother. Within a few moments, he suddenly collapsed. His parents rushed him to the hospital, but doctors were unable to save him despite trying for more than an hour.
Choking due to tapioca, Mother’s efforts failed
According to doctors, the tapioca balls, about 10 millimeters in size, got stuck in the child’s airway. Since they were too sticky, the child’s mother failed to remove them even with the Heimlich maneuver.
Experts say that tapioca-like foods are risky for young children, as they can easily get stuck in the throat and cause suffocation.
Father’s anger and claim of responsibility
The child’s father, Li, collected a security video of the incident and demanded action against those responsible. He alleged that the milk tea shop did not give sufficient warnings.
And the staff did not inform them that the drink could be dangerous for young children. No one even warned them that bringing food into the shopping mall was prohibited.
Who is to blame—the guardian or the seller?
The death has sparked a heated debate on social media. Many believe that the guardian’s negligence in giving a three-year-old child a drink containing tapioca balls was the fault of the guardian.
On the other hand, some netizens did not deny the responsibility of the shop—in their opinion, there should have been a clear warning for children.
The need for caution is highlighted in international reactions
Not only Chinese citizens, but also people from neighboring countries have expressed concern about the incident. Many cited the example of many people dying every year in Japan from choking on sticky food called mochi. In Malaysia, many have warned that sticky or chewy sweets are equally dangerous for children.
Some commented from their personal experience that it is even dangerous for 30 year old guy , so imagine how dangerous it is for a three-year-old.
Expert Advice and Warnings
Health experts say tapioca balls should be chewed slowly, as they are not easily digested and can be dangerous if swallowed incorrectly. Children should never be given such drinks, especially during sports. This accident is yet another reminder of how big a disaster can be caused by even a little carelessness.
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