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M'sia temple wooden beam death: Council apologises, among over 100 people at girl's funeral
The temple previously said it will cooperate with investigations into the incident.
April 11, 2026, 08:54 AM
An emotional funeral ceremony was held on Apr. 10 to send off the 17-year-old girl who died after being struck by a 1,000kg wooden beam at a temple in Malaysia.
Among the attendees were council members from Shun Tian Gong, the temple where the incident happened.
They paid their respects at the funeral hall, but declined to speak to the media present there, according to Sin Chew.
They reportedly met with the deceased's family after the ceremony to state clearly how they will fulfil their responsibility in the case, and work to reach a mutual understanding.
Another local temple also attended the ceremony and offered some condolence money to the family to express their care and support.
Apologised
On the night of Apr. 7, the teenage girl, Guo Yujie (transliterated), visited the temple with her family to perform duties.
She was helping to clean the temple when a beam suddenly broke and hit her.
The beam was reportedly installed just four years ago, in 2022.
The temple council, located in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor, issued a statement about the incident on Facebook the next day.
They expressed great sadness and guilt, and extended their condolences to Guo's family.
They also added that they will cooperate fully with investigations and fulfil their responsibility.
Emotional procession
Many relatives, friends, teachers, and neighbours gathered to say goodbye to Guo at the funeral.
According to China Press, over 100 people came down to pay their last respects.
Her family placed several items that Guo frequently wore — such as a bag, a pair of shoes, and a pair of jeans — in the coffin with her, Sin Chew reported.
They hoped that these memories of her youth would accompany her on her last journey.
The funeral procession was a solemn scene. Guo's parents were crying as they watched the hearse drive away.
The hearse drove past Shun Tian Gong and Guo's secondary school on the way to the cremation hall.
Top images from China Press
