In this day of constant live streaming on platforms such as Twitch, viewers have occasionally been unintentional front-row observers of natural disasters and other alarming events like home invasions and fires. In 2019, popular Twitch streamer Shroud had his Apex Legends match interrupted by an earthquake and decided to continue playing despite advice from concerned viewers to seek shelter.
On December 29, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake occurred in Croatia, and this one was too strong to be ignored. Luka “Perkz” Perkovic was in the midst of streaming League of Legends live on Twitch when his webcam began to wobble slightly. The event seemed mild enough initially, but quickly progressed to more noticeable shaking. Loud sounds could be heard offscreen, perhaps of items falling, and the streamer removed his headset, exclaiming, “Holy sh*t.” Perkovic then quickly got up and called out to his mother.
Thankfully, the earthquake seemed to stop as quickly as it began, and the streamer was able to return to his game. It was the first earthquake Perkovic had ever experienced, however, and he admitted to being rattled from the event. “I think I’m going to have to stop streaming now,” he stated. “I can’t play anymore actually.” The streamer recommended that his team forfeit their League of Legends match because he was having trouble focusing.
Although his teammates decided to continue playing, Perkovic ended up leaving the match and stopped streaming. He later posted on Twitter about the experience: “First time I ever felt an earthquake and it was the strongest one ever in Croatia.”
The 6.4 quake was the second one to hit the area within 24 hours and could be felt as far away as Hungary. Early reports indicate that six people were killed and dozens wounded in the event. Several towns in central Croatia were severely damaged during the earthquake, including the region’s largest hospital. The military was called in to assist with searching through fallen buildings for survivors.
Earthquakes aren’t the only alarming events to be caught on camera during livestreams. In September, YouTube content creator Steven “Boogie2988” Williams recorded a confrontation with Frank Hassle, a fellow YouTuber who showed up uninvited at Williams’ house. The encounter was the culmination of a months-long feud that had resulted in an FBI investigation and Hassle getting banned from YouTube. The confrontation ended when Williams pulled a gun and fired a warning shot at his unexpected visitor.
Less than a week after that event, in early October, the apartment of Facebook gaming streamer Jake Best caught fire as he was playing Phasmophobia. In a matter of approximately 30 seconds, Best’s room filled with smoke and he was forced to run out the front door. The contents of his apartment were either entirely lost or sustained smoke damage.
Source: Dexerto, The New York Times