In a shocking incident, a pregnant woman in Taiwan suffered miscarriage and severe burns after placing firecrackers between her legs as per a ‘blessing ritual’.
As per report by South China Morning Post, the woman surnamed Qiu, a nurse at a plastic surgery clinic, was invited by a temple staff member surnamed Zhang to participate in a “blessing ritual” at a temple in Miaoli county on February 19, 2023.
As a part of the ritual, Zhang instructed her to remove her shoes and socks, spread her feet apart so that she was standing over the firecrackers. Another temple staff member, surnamed Wu, then ignited the firecrackers. Qiu suffered severe burns covering 30% of her body and miscarried. Despite surgery, she has still not fully recovered.
Setting off firecrackers is a common celebratory and protective custom across China, however placing firecrackers between one’s legs while standing is highly unusual.
Qiu sued Zhang and Wu for compensation, seeking NT$1,749,246 (US$53,000) for medical expenses, living costs, lost wages, and emotional damage. The court ruled that Zhang and Wu were jointly liable for failing to ensure Qiu's safety during the ritual and ordered them to pay NT$999,246 (US$30,000) in compensation.
The bizarre incident has shocked several people online.
One user said: “As a nurse, how could she not know how dangerous this was, especially while pregnant? This level of ignorance and superstition is shocking.”
“Folk beliefs can be so exaggerated. You are a nurse, why not believe in science?” another user said.
“Was this ritual for a child? Honestly, if you are born into a family that practises bizarre religious ceremonies like this, maybe not being born is a blessing in disguise,” said a third user.