Fans gathered in large numbers at a shopping centre in Nanning, southern China, on Sunday to see actor Zhang Linghe, causing a serious crowd surge that ended with glass doors outside the venue shattering. Social media footage showed the moment the doors broke as people pressed toward the mall, while other videos captured dense crowds packed around interior balconies waiting for the 28-year-old star’s appearance.
Zhang Linghe, who stars in the Chinese historical drama Pursuit of Jade, had been scheduled to attend a promotional event for eyewear brand Molsion. The strong turnout quickly created safety concerns, prompting organisers to cancel the planned in-person appearance and shift the event online instead.
In a statement released Sunday night, Zhang’s studio said the brand event had been temporarily rescheduled and apologized for the disruption. The studio emphasized that safety remained the top priority for both the actor and his team. It also said Zhang and his studio would reimburse travel and accommodation expenses for fans who had come from other places to attend the event.
Molsion said it had arranged medical checks for fans who sustained minor injuries during the incident. The company also said it would strengthen safety protocols and introduce upgraded measures to ensure future events can be carried out smoothly and safely.
The incident highlights the risks that can arise when popular celebrity appearances draw unexpectedly large crowds, especially at public venues not prepared for such intense turnout. What began as a promotional event turned into a chaotic scene as fans rushed to secure a view of the actor, overwhelming the area and leading to damage at the shopping centre.
No serious injuries were reported in the statement, but the broken glass and cancelled appearance underscored the scale of the crowding. The situation also reflects the growing influence of fan culture around Chinese entertainment stars, where high demand for appearances can quickly outpace venue capacity.
Authorities or venue officials did not immediately provide further details in the material reviewed, but the response from Zhang’s team and the brand focused on damage control, fan welfare and compensation. The cancellation of the physical event and the decision to hold it online were intended to reduce further risk and ensure the safety of attendees.
Zhang Linghe has become one of the more recognizable young actors in Chinese television, and the turnout for the Molsion event showed the extent of his popularity. However, the scene in Nanning also served as a reminder that large fan gatherings require careful crowd management to prevent injury and property damage.
The aftermath of the incident now appears to center on support for affected fans, review of venue safety, and the handling of future appearances by the actor and his brand partners.
