Story By: John Feng, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report
This video seen over five million times shows a commuter casually pinning a rat down by standing on it after seeing the rodent scuttering through a crowded train.
The footage, believed to have been filmed on Line 10 of the Shanghai Metro in East China, has been widely shared since 11th November.
In the short video taken by another train passenger, the rat can be seen underneath a row of seats, scurrying along the side of the carriage.
As it momentarily reveals itself and attempts to reach the safety of more cover, it is suddenly stopped by the male commuter standing by the doors.
The viral footage shows the commuter still staring at his mobile phone when he casually lifts his shoe and stands on the rat, trapping it underneath the rubber sole of his trainer.
The clip ends with the rat unable to move, and it is unclear how exactly the commuter dealt with the pest after the fact.
A Shanghai Metro spokesperson told local media: “We’re looking into the video, the details of which are currently unclear.”
Another spokesperson added: “We’re a public facility. It’s inevitable that passengers eat at stations. That tends to attract cockroaches and rats, etc.
“But at every terminal station we have cleaners who tidy up the train cars.”
Food and drink are forbidden on Shanghai Metro lines, but the rules are not strictly enforced.
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