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A tourist faced a wave of anger from locals after he decided to climb the world wonder, Chichen Itza, in Mexico.
The shocking moment was captured on video and widely shared on social media.
Tourists watched as the scene unfolded during a visit to the 82-foot ancient pyramid in Yucatán, according to Fox News.
The footage shows the man running up the steep steps of the sacred pyramid while onlookers gathered at the bottom, booing and shouting at him.
Some people in the crowd called him an “idiot” and “stupid,” while one woman was heard yelling, “You are not allowed to go up the temple!”
A security guard is seen climbing the pyramid in an attempt to stop him, while others try to catch him at the top.
Two guards are seen running around the summit as the tourist disappears from view, reportedly trying to hide inside a chamber.
“He eluded us, even though we’re keeping watch on the western side of the temple,” a National Guard member told Mexico News Daily. “He ran past us. He’s clearly in good physical condition.”
As the 38-year-old German tourist was escorted out by members of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and the Mexican National Guard, tensions erupted.
A mob of tourists surrounded the man, some physically attacking him while others shouted that he should be “sacrificed” — a chilling reference to the ritual human sacrifices once performed by ancient Mayans atop the pyramid.
Guards tried to de-escalate the situation as the crowd continued to heckle him during his removal. One video shows the man surrounded by security personnel while being swarmed by furious onlookers.
Authorities later confirmed that two separate tourists had attempted to climb the pyramid that same day, with approximately 9,000 visitors present to witness the spring equinox event known as the Descent of the Feathered Serpent.
During this phenomenon, sunlight creates a visual illusion of a serpent slithering down the pyramid’s staircase — one of the most highly anticipated sights of the year.
The pyramid, also known as El Castillo, is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and has been off-limits to climbers since 2008 to protect its historic integrity.
Violations can lead to fines under Article 55 of the Federal Law on Archaeological, Artistic, and Historical Monuments and Zones of Mexico.
The German tourist now faces charges and potential fines for violating the ban, according to the Daily Mail.
He was reportedly removed from the archaeological zone and handed over to U.S. Marshals after being found at a hotel in Mexicali, roughly 2.3 miles south of the U.S. border, according to the Baja California Citizen Security Secretariat.
This isn’t the first time a tourist has caused chaos at the historic site.
In 2023, a Polish tourist who defied the same ban was met with instant vigilante justice when a bare-chested man in shorts and sandals struck him over the head with a large wooden stick as he descended the steps.
The Polish man, who was reportedly fined after spending about 12 hours in custody, was stunned by the blow and shielded his head with his hands. He later told authorities he had climbed the pyramid to take photos for social media.
The Temple of Kukulcan — formally known to archaeologists as Chichén Itzá Structure 5B18 — features four staircases with approximately 91 steps each and dominates the center of the ancient Mayan city.
Despite repeated warnings and signs, some tourists continue to risk fines, arrest, and public humiliation for the sake of a photo — but judging by the crowd’s reaction this time, locals are no longer waiting for authorities to respond.
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