In the second such case this year, a 52-year-old woman fell ill, fainted and was declared dead at the hospital after watching a late night screening of the blockbuster hit Avatar over the weekend.
Local media reported that Huang Hsin-fen (黃心汾) failed to get up from her seat after watching a 9pm showing of Avatar: Special Edition at Vieshow Cinemas in Taipei City’s Xinyi District (信義).
Her friend was unable to wake her and she was declared dead after being sent to the hospital. Police authorities say that Huang had no pulse when first responders arrived at the scene, local media reported.
Information about Huang’s exact cause of death was not yet available as of press time.
Avatar, which smashed box office records earlier this year, was re-released to theaters nationwide on Friday. The special edition is nine minutes longer and includes much racier scenes than its predecessor.
Doctors have raised warnings that the 3D action flick could exacerbate heart or high-blood-pressure problems. Moviegoers should exercise caution if they have a history of such medical issues.
According to Hung Shi-chi (洪士奇), the head of the emergency room at Taipei City hospital’s Zhongxiao branch, 3D-movie watchers should immediately remove their 3D glasses if they feel either sick or dizzy during the course of a movie.
In January this year, a 42-year-old male surnamed Kuo (郭), who had a history of high blood pressure, was also declared dead after watching Avatar shortly after it was released in Taiwan.
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