No marine activity deaths related to TikTok challenge - ALEA

SHAH ALAM - The United States (US) Alabama Laws Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Marine Patrol Agency Division have confirmed that no deaths were recorded due to the new TikTok trend involving marine activities.

Malaysia TikTok spokesman Ariff Roose said the matter was confirmed as a result of ALEA’s investigation into the matter and an official statement was issued by the agency on Twitter on Tuesday.

“We want to share that investigations were done and that the ALEA Marine Patrol Division stated there were no deaths related to TikTok or a challenge.

“ALEA does not have any boat death records or any marine related incidents in Alabama that could be related to TikTok or a trend.

“In the statement released ALEA said in 2020, an individual died after jumping from a moving boat and a similar death occurred in 2021, however, both deaths could not be related to TikTok,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.

International media had reported at least four deaths in Alabama, US of individuals participating in a TikTok trend of jumping off a speeding boat within the past six months.

A state officer was reported to have said that four victims had died at the scene after suffering neck injuries.

News of these incidents were reported in local media.

Ariff Roose said TikTok has provided simple guides available through its safety centre that could be used.

“It could be used by teens and adults when they find something dangerous online,” he said.