A 19-year-old worker was mauled to death by a tiger during a TikTok video stunt at a private farm in Kahna, a town in Pakistan's Lahore region. Police have arrested the farm owner, identified as Fayyaz, and a TikToker named Norman following the incident.
The victim, identified as a worker at the site named Talha, was taken to a private hospital after the attack but died on Wednesday, according to local reports. His body has been moved to a morgue for an autopsy.
Arrests and Alleged Cover-Up
Police allege attempts were made to claim Talha had died as a result of a dog attack. The tiger, a tigress, is now in the care of officials from the wildlife department. Authorities allege the TikToker had asked for the tiger to be let out of its cage for the video. The tigress was being held at a breeding site on the property.
Police said they are investigating whether the site had the correct permits for keeping the tiger, and whether safety arrangements were properly followed.
Police Statement and Investigation
Lahore Police said: “A passion for TikTok cannot be more important than a human life. No one can be allowed to put human life at risk in the name of hobby or entertainment. The attempt to hide the facts and every aspect of negligence will be investigated.”
The force added on X: "Kahna police have arrested the farm owner and a TikToker in connection with the death of a 19-year-old young man in a tigress attack at a farmhouse. The tigress got out of control in the presence of the TikToker, who had come to the farmhouse to make a TikTok video, leaving a farm employee critically injured. He later died while receiving treatment."
An attempt was made to pass off the tigress attack as a dog attack to conceal the truth. The attacking tigress has been handed over to wildlife authorities, while investigations continue into the tigress ownership permit, safety arrangements and possible negligence. A case has been registered over the incident.
