A popular kite-flying festival in Taiwan turned into a nightmare Sunday after a child got caught in the strings of a giant kite and was swept into the air for a heart-pounding 30 seconds.
The 3-year-old girl, who survived the wild ride without serious injuries, was one of thousands of people attending the Hsinchu International Kite Festival when she was suddenly dragged by her neck and catapulted into the air, hovering over a crowd of screaming spectators.
Shocking videos shared on social media show the a long-tailed orange kite repeatedly spinning the toddler in the air, apparently reaching about 100 feet at one point, according to Reuters.
A group of adults eventually pulled her back into the ground and brought the kite under control.
The child was taken to the hospital and treated for minor abrasions to her neck and face, local news outlets reported.
The two-day festival was cut short immediately after the incident.
City officials reportedly blamed the mishap on a sudden gust of wind that caused the kite to wrap around the girl. Hsinchu Mayor issued an apology on Facebook and said the city would continue to review the incident to ensure it never happens again.
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