BEIJING: Police in southwestern China have debunked a terrifying rumour after an alarmed homeowner was told by a neighbour that bones found on her rooftop belonged to a buried young boy.
On Oct 5, a woman surnamed Li from Chengdu, Sichuan province, told local media outlet Sichuan Observation that she had found what appeared to be a grave on the rooftop above her flat.
Li bought the second-hand flat on the seventh floor in 2017 and had rented it out ever since.
A neighbour recently told her that the rooftop was the burial site of a seven-year-old boy who had lived in the building and died of an illness in September 2009.
Footage taken by Li showed what appeared to be bones, including teeth, buried beneath a pile of rocks and weeds. She subsequently alerted police.
Li accused the previous owner of concealing the alleged grave, saying it could affect the property’s value. She sought to hold the seller accountable but was unable to contact them.
The discovery caused a stir on mainland social media, with related videos attracting millions of views.
“This is horrifying. No matter how much you miss your child, you should give them a proper burial, not bury them on a rooftop,” one online user commented.
“If true, this could unsettle residents and send property prices tumbling,” wrote another.
According to a lawyer, burials outside designated cemeteries are illegal in China. Li could also seek to cancel the property deal and claim compensation if the seller had deliberately concealed the alleged grave.
However, the case took a surprising turn after police examined the bones.
On Oct 8, police confirmed there was no grave on the rooftop, only a flower bed containing animal remains. There was no tombstone, urn or other burial-related items.
Tests identified the bone fragments as belonging to livestock or poultry, while the teeth were consistent with those of fish.
After checking death records and interviewing residents, police dismissed the story of the boy’s grave as a rumour traced to a 73-year-old neighbour surnamed Liu.
Liu, whose motive remains unclear, received an administrative penalty.
Under Chinese law, spreading rumours can carry up to 10 days’ detention and a fine of 500 yuan (US$75). In serious cases involving disruption of public order, offenders can face up to seven years in prison.
One online observer remarked: “Whether driven by personal revenge or a desire for attention, spreading rumours is both foolish and shameful.”
“Don’t blindly believe sensational urban legends or add to the spread of misinformation by embellishing what you hear,” warned another. - South China Morning Post
