Chinese citizen journalist who covered coronavirus outbreak disappears from Wuhan days after whistleblower doctor died
THE family of a Chinese citizen journalist who exposed the severity of coronavirus in Wuhan say they are “deeply worried” after he was reported missing.
Chen Qiushi, who also works as a human rights lawyer, has not been heard from since 7pm local time on Thursday, with calls to his mobile going unanswered.
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He has not been seen or heard from since the death of doctor, Li Wenliang, who first raised the alarm at the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Mr Qiushi became known as a citizen journalist, someone who doesn’t work in the media who reports on social matters typically through social media.
He has reported horrific scenes in graphic detail, including a woman frantically calling her family as she sits next to a dead relative in a wheelchair.
A panic-stricken friend told CNN: “We’re worried for his physical safety but also worried that while he’s missing he might get infected by the virus.”
His family, who also have access to his Twitter, wrote on February 7: “Chinese citizen journalist Chen Quishi has been missing since 7.00pm last night. He travelled to Wuhan to report on the coronavirus outbreak.
“His family and friends are deeply worried. Please help to spread the news and support him.”
His disappearance comes as the doctor who raised the alarm, Li Wenliang, 34, tragically contracted the virus from patients he was treating and died.
He was working was working as an ophthalmologist at Wuhan Central Hospital when he raised the alarms to fellow medics on December 30.
Fellow Chinese citizen journalist Fang Bin, who has published videos of bodies loaded into a bus, was also arrested by authorities last week. He has since been released.
‘DEEPLY WORRIED’
Mr Qiushi visited hospitals, funeral homes and residential areas in Wuhan to learn more about the epidemic.
He was planning on visitng the Fang Cang shelter before he vanished.
A friend, who had been given the go ahead to speak on his behalf, wrote on Mr Qiushi’s Twitter: “When Chen Qiushi was taken away, he was in good health and normal temperature.
“We look forward to his return in peace and health. He has yet to get in touch with his family.”
His mother has posted a video calling for his safe return. A friend also told CNN: “We’re worried for his physical safety but also worried that while he’s missing he might get infected by the virus.”
Before he disappeared he had criticised the country’s level of sanitation in hospitals, writing on Twitter: “It’s easy to put 1,000 beds in the stadium, but how do 1,000 people eat together? How to bathe, How to go to the toilet?
“Do they need to wear a mask 24 hours? Is there enough oxygen, a ventilator, and when will the specific medicine be available?
“This problem has troubled me for several days! Other patients are frail and need family care. ~ Every step is very difficult right now.”
On February 5, he shared a video from the son of a coronavirus victim who “wanted to say how his father went from illness to death, in honour of his father”.
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Another video he shared showed how easily he could enter the outpatient hall of Wuhan hospital.
He said: “The hospital outpatient hall and the inpatient department are places to enter casually.
“Chaotic scenes, now they do not care about a stranger wearing a mask. That’s how I did it.”
Another video he shared was of people eating bats that may have caused the outbreak.
He said: “After experiencing this matter, can Chinese people give up eating wildlife?”
