Zibo railway worker's gentle gesture reunites lost girl with parents

A heartwarming act of kindness by railway staff at Zibo Railway Station in Shandong province on Tuesday reunited a lost girl, about 4-5 years old, with her anxious parents within minutes, after a passenger attendant carried the child on his shoulders, a playful gesture known in China as "ju gaogao" or "lifting high", to calm her down and make her visible above the crowded waiting hall.

Two passengers approached the staff with the young girl, reporting that she had been separated from her family. The visibly distressed little girl was unable to provide clear information about her parents.

Kong Lei, the passenger service attendant on duty, patiently comforted the girl while arranging for a broadcast announcement to be made throughout the station.

With the station crowded and the little girl growing agitated, Kong lifted the child onto his shoulders, ensuring she could be seen clearly above the crowd and hoping to catch the attention of any searching family members.

About six or seven minutes later, the parents, who had been searching for their child, rushed to the service desk after hearing the broadcast.

It was learned that the family had become separated amid the heavy passenger flow. Seeing their daughter safe and sound, the parents repeatedly expressed their gratitude to the station staff for their swift response and compassionate assistance.

Liu Chuan contributed to the story.