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A 11-year-old boy in southeastern China caused a panic at home after accidentally swallowing a 10-gram gold bean valued at approximately 10,000 yuan (about $1,400). The bizarre incident, which took place in Kunshan, Jiangsu province, occurred just days after the gold piece was purchased by his mother.
The boy reportedly told his mother that he had swallowed the small nugget while “testing the strength of his tongue.” The news sent the child running to his mother, fearing for his life.
The mother was skeptical, thinking her son was joking. However, when she realised the precious item was missing, she grew worried. Based on a previous incident where her niece had swallowed a coin, she first hoped the gold would pass naturally. She even consulted information online that suggested this was a possibility.
For five days, the mother carried out a strict surveillance routine, advising her son daily not to defecate outside. She jokingly told him that his feces were now “very expensive.” Despite checking his stool twice daily, the gold could not be found.
Finally, on October 26, the worried mother took her son to Kunshan’s Fifth People’s Hospital. Doctors performed an examination and confirmed the gold object was lodged in the boy’s stomach, though the child was not showing any physical discomfort.
The gold nugget was safely removed later that day, though the specific medical procedure used remains unconfirmed. Following the ordeal, the mother issued a public warning, urging people to store their valuable items securely and keep them far away from playful or “mischievous” children.