An angry crowd turned hostile after a tourist climbed an ancient pyramid, with some people yelling that she should be sacrificed when she came back down. The incident took place at El Castillo, the massive step pyramid that towers over the Chichen Itza archaeological site in Mexico’s Yucatan state and draws visitors from all over the world.
El Castillo is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the region, and thousands of tourists visit the site every year. It is believed to date back as early as the 400s A.D., which is why preservation rules are taken seriously by local authorities and historians.
Climbing the pyramid has been strictly banned since 2008 to protect the structure from damage. Anyone caught breaking the rule can face fines ranging from $2,558 up to $5,115, depending on the circumstances.
Even with those penalties in place, one unidentified woman ignored the ban and climbed the pyramid anyway. A video of her ascent quickly spread online and triggered an intense backlash from viewers.
In the footage, the woman is seen dancing and posing once she reaches the top of the pyramid. A security guard eventually escorts her back down as the crowd below reacts angrily.
As she descended, people in the crowd reportedly shouted “jail” and “sacrifice.” Some onlookers allegedly pulled her hair, shoved her, and poured water on her when she reached the bottom.
According to Riviera Maya News, the woman was arrested by Tinum Municipal Police after the incident. She was fined under Article 55 of the Federal Law on Archaeological, Artistic, and Historical Monuments, although the exact fine amount was not disclosed.
The National Institute of Anthropology and History later stated that the tourist did not cause any damage to El Castillo. Officials said the rules were explained to her and she was handed over to state public security to face administrative sanctions.
They also reminded visitors that these restrictions exist to protect historic sites and must be respected. El Castillo remains completely off limits to anyone attempting to climb it.
The woman is not the only tourist to have faced backlash for ignoring the ban. Another video has circulated online showing a man being escorted down the pyramid steps while an angry crowd gathered below.
In that case, one onlooker struck the man on the back of the head with a stick. A witness said around 30 to 40 people were shouting for him to stop and come down as he climbed.
That tourist was reportedly fined about 5,000 pesos, roughly $265, and held in custody for around 12 hours. Authorities later said he admitted entering the restricted area to take photos for social media.
