A depressing incident in Zhuzhou, Hunan Province, has ignited widespread public outrage after a severely ill elderly woman died outside a bank while attempting to withdraw her savings. On 14th May, the 62-year-old diabetic woman, who was also paralysed and hospitalised, was transported to the Agricultural Bank of China’s Tianxin branch in a wheelchair after the bank refused to allow her daughter to withdraw funds on her behalf.
The woman’s nephew, Mr Peng, shared details of the tragedy online, explaining that his aunt’s daughter had initially gone to the branch with proper documentation to withdraw 50,000 yuan from a matured fixed deposit to cover medical expenses. However, bank staff rejected the request, insisting that the account holder appear in person to complete the transaction. Despite being informed of the woman’s critical health condition, the bank maintained this requirement.
Family members, left with no other option, brought the ailing woman to the bank in a wheelchair. According to Peng, the ordeal lasted over an hour, during which the woman was subjected to a face recognition process requiring physical movements, such as nodding and blinking—actions she struggled to perform due to her condition. She eventually collapsed near the bank’s entrance and died shortly after. Emergency medical personnel who arrived at the scene confirmed her death.
Despite the tragedy, the bank released the funds that evening, but by then, the woman had already passed away. The family has expressed anger and disbelief at the bank’s inflexibility, calling its actions inhumane.
The incident has sparked a wave of criticism online, with social media users denouncing the bank’s rigid adherence to rules. Comments included, “She was treated like a criminal trying to access her own money,” and “This tragedy could have been avoided with basic compassion.” Some also criticised broader systemic issues, including the lack of immediate financial access for hospitalised patients.
The Agricultural Bank of China has since issued a statement expressing condolences to the family and confirming that an internal task force has been established to investigate the matter. The bank pledged to cooperate fully with local authorities and assist the family with post-mortem arrangements.
Local law enforcement in Zhuzhou’s Tianxin district has also launched an investigation. Police confirmed the woman’s death was caused by a sudden medical episode but withheld further details, citing the ongoing inquiry.