Tourist from China leans out of Sri Lanka train for photos, slams into tunnel wall, now critically injured

A tourist from China leaned out of a moving train in Sri Lanka and slammed into a tunnel wall.

She is now critically injured, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.

Rushed to a few hospitals

The 35-year-old unidentified woman reportedly suffered severe head and leg injuries and is in critical condition.

The incident on Mar. 9 occurred while the tourist was travelling from Nanu Oya to Badulla.

She purportedly fell after her head hit the tunnel wall.

She was rushed to Haputale Regional Hospital, before being transferred to two other hospitals.

She was reportedly taking photos when the incident occurred.

Chinese embassy issued advisory

The Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka issued an advisory on its website on Mar. 10 reminding tourists to "not lean out of trains for photos".

It also warned tourists not to play along railway lines.

Shots of tourists leaning out of Sri Lanka trains have made it on Chinese social media platforms.

Past incidents

In December 2024, tree branches knocked a female tourist from China out of a moving train in Sri Lanka after she hung her whole upper body out for videos.

She survived with minor injuries.

In February 2025, a 53-year-old Russian tourist in Sri Lanka reportedly died after falling from a train while leaning out for a photo.

A local tour guide in Sri Lanka told the Chinese media Hongxing News that many people suffered injuries and even died due to their behaviour.

He suggested that tourists take a slow train called Calypso, which is meant for travellers to take photos.

Top photos via Weibo & Travel With Appachchi YouTube