3 Swimmers Killed in China by Electric Shock
By wchung | 08 May, 2026

Electric wires pulled into an outdoor pool killed three swimmers and injured many other in Tianjin Friday, reported the Beijing Times. The wires were broken by a large awning collapsing in a rainstorm.

The three fatalities were two male swimmers and a rescue worker in his 60s.

A sudden downpour prompted swimmers to scramble to leave the pool at about 3 pm Thursday, said a witness. But before they all succeeded in fleeing the water, the falling awning pulled the electrical wiring into the pool.

One of the swimmers who was in the water when the awning collapsed said he felt numb for more than 40 seconds. His friend was knocked down by electric shock after touching an iron bar outside the pool. Many others, both in the water and out, collapsed from the electric shock.

The pool has been shut down and the owner detained by police for questioning.