A video capturing the moment a woman falling from a moving pick-up truck has gone viral on Tongan social media, sparking heated debates and mixed reactions from the online community.
The footage shows the van appeared to have had engine trouble, causing it to jerk and surge erratically.
This led to the woman, standing at the back, losing her grip and falling onto the road as the vehicle continued moving.
Kaniva News was unable to verify the authenticity of the footage independently.
Onlookers can be heard laughing in the background, a reaction that has since ignited a wave of criticism from many Tongans online. Others have questioned the woman’s level of caution.
“It’s heartbreaking to see people laughing at someone’s pain,” commented one Facebook user.
“We should be helping each other, not making fun of someone’s misfortune.”
Others echoed this sentiment, calling for more empathy and kindness in such situations.
However, not all reactions were sympathetic. Some members of the online community argued that the woman should have been more cautious.
“Riding on the back of a moving vehicle is dangerous,” one commenter wrote.
“She should have known better, but that doesn’t mean people should laugh at her.”
The incident has also raised broader concerns about road safety in Tonga, where passengers riding in the back of pick-up trucks is a common practice despite its risks.
Local authorities have repeatedly warned against this practice, but enforcement remains a challenge.
No official statement has been released regarding the woman’s condition, but witnesses reported that she appeared to be conscious and was helped by bystanders shortly after the fall.
