A reporter from a local TV channel was injured while covering the goldmine rescue in Qixia, East China’s Shandong Province on Sunday. She confirmed on Tuesday that there had been a minor conflict between her and security staff in a misunderstanding during which she fell and was hurt in her knee, and a settlement had been reached.
According to Qixia’s official media release on the incident, a minor conflict occurred between the reporter from Shandong News and Television and security staff on Sunday outside Qixia City People’s Hospital, where the 11 rescued miners from the goldmine explosion in Qixia on January 10 were receiving treatment.
“In order to ensure the rescue channel was safe and unobstructed, the on-site security personnel did not allow the reporter to enter the hospital. During the conversation, the security personnel physically blocked the reporter,” said the city’s announcement published on Tuesday.
“After further examination, the reporter did not suffer serious injuries. The two parties involved have resolved their misunderstanding,” it said.
The injured reporter, named Cui Lixia, revealed details of the incident later on Tuesday.
“I was reporting at Qixia City People’s Hospital at around 2 pm Sunday, and was physically blocked at the entrance by security personnel. During the negotiation, I accidentally fell, resulting in a knee injury,” Cui wrote in a statement published via Shandong News and Television’s official WeChat account on Tuesday.
“Both the security staff and I were performing our own duties, and the disagreement occurred due to a miscommunication,” Cui wrote, “We have reached a settlement. I am not suffering from major injuries.”
The incident drew the ire of some netizens on Monday. According to footage circulating online, which was reportedly shot by Cui, she shouted “Help!” and said her leg was twisted. “How can you do this?” she shouted, as security staff tried to stop her from filming. But the scene of the actual conflict could not be seen in the video.
A photo of the alleged MRI report of Cui from the Qixia Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital circulated online shows she suffered a bone contusion and damage to her ligament and meniscus. The hospital could not be reached as of press time.
Netizens called for a thorough investigation of the incident.
The Global Times reporter covering the goldmine rescue from Qixia also visited the hospital in the hope of an interview on Sunday and Monday but was prevented from entering. No media workers were allowed to enter the hospital due to “rescue and security concerns” as of Monday.
A goldmine explosion took place in Qixia on January 10, trapping 22 miners underground. As of Tuesday afternoon, 11 miners were successfully rescued, 10 were confirmed dead, and one remains missing. The rescued miners are currently receiving treatment in Qixia City People’s Hospital.
Photo: Screenshot of web video
