Several videos circulating on social media on Oct. 5 showed children taking part in flying large traditional kites fitted with flutes and being pulled dozens of meters into the air, in scenes viewers described as extremely dangerous.

According to the footage, a group of people were flying large flute kites, which can have wingspans of up to eight meters and generate considerable pulling force. Many children could be seen watching nearby.

In one video, a child grips a kite line with both hands. As the kite rises, the force of the line lifts the child off the ground and carries them into the air.

Another video shows several people holding a section of the line together to counter the force of a kite already flying high overhead.

A child then grabs the line. Moments later, the people holding it simultaneously let go, causing the line to snap taut and pull the child roughly 10 meters into the air.

The frightened child can be heard saying, "This is scary."

An adult voice then shouts, "You can stay up there."

Another clip shows a child dangling dozens of meters above the ground from the line of a kite already high in the air. Children below can be heard shouting, "Is it fun up there?"

After the videos were shared on social media, they drew numerous comments, with many viewers warning that allowing children to cling to or hang from kite lines while the kites are airborne is particularly dangerous.

They said the activity could have serious consequences if a line snapped or a child lost their grip or balance.

According to information posted by the account that uploaded the footage, the scenes were recorded around rice fields and lotus ponds in Cho Moi Commune, An Giang Province, in southern Vietnam.

A representative of the Cho Moi Commune People's Committee said local authorities were aware that residents had been flying kites in several areas, including incidents in which children were allowed to participate in dangerous activities such as those shown in the videos.

After receiving information about the incidents, local authorities coordinated with Cho Moi Commune police to conduct inspections, raise awareness and demand an end to dangerous activities involving people hanging from kite lines.

Cho Moi Commune police have also begun verifying the source of the videos.

Police have initially identified the owner of the account that posted the clips as a local resident and are asking the person to come in for questioning as they continue to clarify the circumstances and determine further action in accordance with regulations.

Ky Long