In a strange incident that caused panic in China, social media users circulated a video showing a three-year-old girl admitted to Dongchuan People’s Hospital in southwest China with a knife stuck in her head. The knife was lodged in the child’s skull. Reports stated that the mother tried to remove the knife herself but failed, so she decided to take her daughter to the hospital for treatment. The girl’s condition is stable after a neurosurgeon told local media that the medical team performed a craniotomy to safely remove the blade. Officials from the Dongchuan Health and Family Planning Office confirmed the girl underwent surgery and is under observation. A doctor told China Business View that the girl survived due to the softness of her skull, adding that if the mother had pulled the knife recklessly, the danger would have been immense.

The correct procedure was to seek specialized medical help immediately, the doctor said. The police ruled the incident accidental and confirmed no criminal intent by the mother.