Burial of Mercedes-Benz at Funeral Sparks Official Probe in Northeast China

A man in northeast China buried a Mercedes-Benz sedan alongside a deceased relative as part of a funeral ritual, prompting an official investigation after videos of the burial went viral.

Clips circulating online on April 9 showed what appeared to be a Mercedes-Benz S450L, with a license plate featuring the number "8888," being buried at a gravesite in Liaoyang, Liaoning Province.

The government of Gongchangling District in Liaoyang, said in a statement on Friday that it launched an investigation after discovering that a vehicle had been buried in Wagou Village during a funeral ritual.

The man, surnamed Jin, buried the car as part of what authorities described as "feudal superstition," according to preliminary findings. He has been reprimanded and acknowledged wrongdoing, officials said.

Authorities said they would step up efforts to curb illegal practices in the funeral sector and promote more "civilized" customs.