Riots over two ‘accidental’ deaths

Deng Jianlan and Deng Silong were killed when their tobacco-smuggling truck was waylaid by the authorities, who were enforcing a tobacco monopoly. The official account states that the men, who were hiding on top of the tobacco, jumped forward off the moving truck, only to be tragically crushed by the wheels. The driver saw, heard, and felt nothing.

Hmm. Sure.

Now, Chinese people (at least those in Xiamen) can be kind of… blind and clueless when it comes to crossing the street, driving, or riding their bikes, but I highly doubt they’re complete imbeciles. And the local authorities had a small riot on their hands when their version of the story came out.

• 5 Dec 2005