According to aggregated media reports, the footage shows the woman squatting on a storm drain cover beside the restroom and repeatedly taking out transparent tube-like items from her handbag. She appeared to insert the tubes through a narrow gap along the edge of the drain cover—about 3 centimeters long and less than 2 centimeters wide—while frequently looking around as if on alert.
According to aggregated media reports, the footage shows the woman squatting on a storm drain cover beside the restroom and repeatedly taking out transparent tube-like items from her handbag. She appeared to insert the tubes through a narrow gap along the edge of the drain cover—about 3 centimeters long and less than 2 centimeters wide—while frequently looking around as if on alert.
A video circulating online has triggered public discussion. In Xi'an, a woman was filmed behaving suspiciously near a public restroom in the North Plaza pedestrian area of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in Yanta district.
According to aggregated media reports, the footage shows the woman squatting on a storm drain cover beside the restroom and repeatedly taking out transparent tube-like items from her handbag. She appeared to insert the tubes through a narrow gap along the edge of the drain cover—about 3 centimeters long and less than 2 centimeters wide—while frequently looking around as if on alert.
Because the tubes looked similar to medical blood-collection vials, the video quickly sparked fear online over the possible disposal of medical waste and potential infectious disease risks. Reports said a trash disposal point and CCTV were located roughly 10 meters away, with signage outlining waste-sorting rules and penalties. Police became involved after receiving reports.
Local authorities and site management later opened the drain cover overnight to investigate. Investigators found four clear plastic storage tubes on a cement platform and a safety net below the opening. Two of the tubes had barcodes and labels indicating "premium hand-sewing needles" and "premium multi-purpose needles." Two sewing needles were also found on the outer edge of the drain opening and on the safety net. After scanning, the items were linked to products reportedly made by a needle manufacturer and are also available on mainland e-commerce platforms.
Investigators said no blood stains were found. They added that the tubes were plastic containers with caps, rather than glass medical collection vials, and that medical-waste risks were initially ruled out. However, for prudence, all samples have been sent for laboratory testing, and the cause of the incident and test results remain under investigation.
The incident has continued to draw heated discussion online. Some commenters argued that discarding sharp sewing needles in a high-traffic tourist area is dangerous and should be thoroughly investigated, while others said uncertainty itself fuels public fear—even if infectious risks are unlikely.
Police reportedly located the woman on the evening of September 8. During questioning, she was said to be incoherent. Her motive, along with the laboratory results of the samples, is still being investigated.
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