An employee at an escape room in Taipei died this morning after suffocating in a work accident on Sunday while performing a hanging ghost character, her family said in a statement.
Taipei police and firefighters said they received a report at about 7pm on Sunday that the 29-year-old employee, surnamed Wu (吳), was accidentally strangled while acting as a hanging ghost at an escape room venue in Xinyi District (信義).
During the performance, the rope tightened around her neck, cutting off her air supply until she lost consciousness and went into cardiac arrest, rescuers said.
Photo: CNA
Paramedics administered CPR and rushed her to a nearby hospital, where she regained vital signs.
Wu’s family vowed to take legal action, and the case was referred to the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office on suspicion of negligent injury.
The family confirmed that Wu passed away at 11am today.
Prosecutors and police are awaiting an autopsy at Taipei Medical University Hospital, they said, adding that their lawyer would file an additional criminal complaint against the company on charges of negligent homicide.
Wu’s brother and other family members were joined by current and former employees of the escape room at a news conference today, along with Taipei city council candidate Chen Sheng-wen (陳聖文) of the Democratic Progressive Party.
A former employee said he had previously performed the same role as Wu and had also lost consciousness due to neck compression five or six times.
Performers stood on interlocking foam mats while using real hemp ropes and wearing masks, he said, adding that the area had no surveillance cameras, was completely dark and left the performer alone on site, making it difficult for colleagues to notice any issues.
Wu’s mother in a statement read out by a relative accused the company of failing to protect her daughter, saying that the family was not only seeking justice for Wu, but also speaking out for young people working in a “high-risk environment.”
“You are workers, not props,” the statement said, adding that human lives should not be treated as part of a company’s operating costs.
The family called on the Taipei City Government and the operator to review current practices and regulations to prevent similar tragedies.
Wu’s brother said they wanted the truth and presented three demands.
First, judicial authorities should investigate whether the operator had been negligent in areas including scene design and prop safety, he said.
Second, the Taipei City Government should explain how the business was allowed to operate for nearly a decade without inspectors discovering any violations, he said.
Third, the city government should review safety standards for escape rooms and immersive experience venues, and establish clear regulations on their operations, he added.
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