FAMOUS PRIEST DIES WHILE BEING ‘STEAMED ALIVE’ DURING ‘NINE EMPEROR GODS’ FESTIVAL

KANGAR: A renowned Taoist priest died while performing the “steaming man” ritual as part of the ongoing Nine Emperor Gods festival.

According to Chinese-language portal Sin Chew Daily, 70-year-old Lam Man Wah was believed to have died from a heart attack during the ritual, held at an unknown Taoist temple at 10.30pm on Monday (Oct 23).

The ritual requires an individual to be “steamed” alive on top of a pile of burning coal, while being covered by a large metal container.

The monk succumbed to a heart attack suffered during the “steaming man” ritual conducted in conjunction with the Nine Gods Festival in Kangar, Perlis on Oct 23.

Lam was attempting to break the current “steaming man” ritual record, which is set at 75 minutes, in a video that has since gone viral.

However, when he was approaching the 30-minute mark, he could be heard slamming the metal container, believed in an attempt to ask for help.

His assistants were seen frantically removing the metal cover and rescuing Lam, who was trembling in shock.

According to the news portal, Lam, a renowned practitioner of the “steaming man” ritual, was said to have undergone a heart bypass procedure two years ago.

ANN