India, March 29 -- A risky online challenge took a frightening turn in southern China when a man nearly suffocated after tying himself up and failing to break free.

The incident happened in Guangzhou, in Guangdong province, and was later shared by the local fire department as a warning about dangerous viral trends.

According to a report by the South China Morning Post, the man had been attempting a so-called "zip tie escape challenge", in which people bind themselves and then try to get free.

According to officials, the man carried out the entire act on his own inside his rented home.

He wrapped himself in a cotton quilt, secured himself with a fishing net, and then fastened multiple long zip ties from his neck down to his ankles. How...