Afia Ohemeng
An attempt to copy a viral video has left one girl dead and another requiring cosmetic surgery after the equipment they were using blew up.
The girls’ families say the two girls were attempting to copy a viral video by a Chinese influencer, Ms. Yeah.
Ms Yeah is very popular on YouTube with over seven million subscribers and is known for eccentric cooking videos she does in her office.
The 14-year-old Zhezhe and 12-year-old Xiaoyu were allegedly copying a video in which Ms Yeah makes popcorn in a tin can. The cans the girls were heating contained alcohol which eventually exploded. Zhezhe, later died from her injuries. Xiaoyu on the other hand was severely wounded and will need cosmetic surgery.
Even though Ms Yeah has paid compensation she has denied that the girls were copying her video. According to her, they attempted the video using a different method. She went on to say her videos are not instructional. She also said all her videos include warnings advising viewers and subscribers not to copyher actions.
Representatives of Ms Yeah paid an undisclosed amount to the families of both girls. The compensation included payment for the 12-year old’s hospital bills. The online star is known for videos in which she makes meals at work using equipment found in her office.
In an interview with Beijing News, Xiaoyu’s father claims his daughter has incurred high medical bills and no longer steps out of the house due to her burn marks. Zhezhe’s father on the other hand tearfully said no amount if money could undo what happened.
Attempt Of Viral Video
In the original video, Ms Yeah places popcorn kennels in a tin can. She then ignites a small flame with an instrument resembling an alcohol burner. The girls were reportedly heating up alcohol directly inside the tin cans beforeit exploded. The girls were severely burnt.
Zhezhe suffered burns on 96% of her body and later died on 5 September 2019.
Ms Yeah, claims the tragedy caused her immense pain and she apologised for letting her fans down. However, she denies the girls copied her videos.
“I used only one tin can and an alcohol lamp, which is safer,” she said. “In [their video] we could clearly see that they used two cans and not a lamp.”
Ms. Yeah shoots her videos at work with her creative team.
