Chinese Student Dies of Fatigue After Continuous Five-Night Live Streaming

In a tragic incident, a Chinese student and video game streamer identified as Li has passed away, with exhaustion suspected as the cause. Li, a final-year student at Henan Pingdingshan Vocational and Technical College, was under contract with a Chinese media company as part of an internship crucial for his graduation in June.

Li's contract mandated him to live stream for 240 hours within 26 days and upload 15 short clips, all for a meager minimum salary of 3000 yuan (£323). This commitment meant Li live-streamed for 38.4% of the contracted days, alongside managing academic responsibilities and personal life.

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Housemates discovered Li unresponsive and breathing rapidly during sleep in Zhengzhou. Livestream records revealed he had actively streamed for Henan Yihui Culture Media from 9 pm to 6 pm continuously for five days leading up to his death on November 10.

Li's father mentioned his son was coerced into taking night shifts for better tips, a claim disputed by the company. The company denied pressuring Li but acknowledged the struggle many livestreamers face in maintaining work-life balance.

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The company, defining Li's engagement as "simple cooperation," offered the family 5000 Yuan (£555) "out of humanitarianism" but insisted any further compensation requests must follow legal channels. Li's father has not confirmed plans for legal action but mentioned exploring compensation options through insurance companies, with the school offering assistance.