The death of a 17-year-old student in Pucheng, a city in China's Shaanxi province, has sparked protests and violent clashes between demonstrators and police, raising questions about transparency and accountability. The unrest stems from allegations of a cover-up by authorities following the student's fatal fall from a school dormitory on January 1.
The student, identified by his surname Dang, reportedly fell from a building at Pucheng County Vocational Education Center. Local authorities described the incident as "an accident" and ruled out foul play, citing an investigation and autopsy. However, Dang's family has disputed these findings, fueling public anger.
Human Rights in China, a nongovernmental organization, reported that Dang's mother was called to the school on January 2 but was not initially informed of her son's death. She was later confined in a room and denied updates about her son's condition, the organization claimed. When finally allowed to view his body at a funeral home, she was reportedly prevented from examining it for traumatic injuries. Authorities also informed her that the school's surveillance system had malfunctioned, leaving no footage of the incident.
"These actions triggered public speculation that the school was trying to cover up the truth," the organization said in a statement.
Verified videos circulating on social media show protests erupting at the school, with demonstrators demanding answers. Protesters chanted "give us the truth" while confronting school officials and clashing with police. Footage reveals officers using tear gas and batons, and protesters hurling objects such as traffic cones. Some videos show bloodied demonstrators being detained by police.
While protests in China are not uncommon, particularly over local grievances, the scale of these demonstrations reflects deeper frustrations. State media have been silent on the events, and references to the protests have been largely censored on Chinese social media platforms. However, leaked videos have gained traction internationally, particularly on X (formerly Twitter).
Authorities have continued to defend their handling of the case. In a January 5 statement, local officials said Dang's death occurred after he had an argument with a dormmate, which was later resolved by a school official. Another student reportedly discovered his body at the foot of the dormitory later that night.
Despite the official narrative, allegations of bullying and administrative negligence have gained traction online. Some unverified reports claim Dang was bullied by the classmate he argued with, and that injuries on his body were inconsistent with a fall.
The protests have drawn comparisons to previous incidents in China where student deaths linked to bullying or negligence led to public outcry. Last month, two teenagers in a separate case were handed lengthy prison sentences for murdering a classmate, highlighting the sensitivity of such issues in China.
The situation has also reignited discussions about government transparency. Demonstrators and observers have expressed skepticism toward the official explanation, pointing to the school's claim of damaged surveillance footage as a significant red flag.
State authorities have urged citizens not to "create rumors, believe in rumors, or spread rumors." Meanwhile, reports indicate that police presence in Pucheng has intensified, and no further demonstrations have been reported since earlier this week.
As protests subsided, videos showed residents mourning Dang's death by placing flowers at the school's entrance and conducting traditional rituals. Demonstrators also left paper offerings at the site, a customary act of grief in Chinese culture.
