Chilling Videos Posted by 12-Year-Old Killed in Subway Surfing Trend Spark Outrage and Parental Blame

The perilous subway surfing craze has taken the lives of two more young teens in New York City.

On October 4, 12-year-old Zemfira Mukhtarov and her 13-year-old companion, Ebba Morina, died in a horrific train mishap at Brooklyn’s Marcy Avenue station.

One online commenter vented: “Schools should teach ‘Common Sense 101’ and the law of cause and effect—actions have consequences.”

Key Facts 12-year-old Zemfira Mukhtarov and 13-year-old Ebba Morina perished while perched on the roof of a speeding subway car in Brooklyn. Zemfira’s parents had no idea she’d slipped out at midnight to film the risky TikTok challenge. The grieving family of the younger girl launched a GoFundMe to fund her burial costs. Her father, Ruslan Mukhtarov, shared: “No family should endure the agony of burying a child, and no kid deserves such a senseless end.” RELATED: NYPD released the victims’ names on October 7. ![Image: 12-year-old subway surfing victim in white dress and sunglasses by water near stone bridge] Image credits: GoFundMe

The deadly event unfolded in the pre-dawn hours of October 4, prompting a 911 response around 3 a.m.

Zemfira’s immigrant parents, originally from Azerbaijan and Ukraine, revealed she’d left their home near midnight without permission.

She linked up with Ebba, and the pair allegedly captured TikTok footage of themselves clinging to the exterior of a moving train.

![Image: Two girls in haunting subway surfing clips, fueling debates on parental oversight] Image credits: ImMeme0 / X

Zemfira, fixated on the stunt, frequently uploaded daring videos from NYC subway stops on her TikTok, amassing followers.

In the lead-up to her fatal fall, she shared disturbing posts, like one where she lay flat on live tracks as a train barreled past.

NYCTA head Demetrius Crichlow called it “devastating,” noting the “profound” toll on the girls’ kin and transit staff.

![Image: Zemfira Mukhtarov posting subway surfing exploits on social media] Image credits: zemaspamzz

“It’s gut-wrenching that two girls lost their lives chasing what they saw as a game on a subway roof. Adults—parents, educators, peers—must hammer home: Clambering atop a train isn’t surfing; it’s suicide.”

Zemfira’s parents, Nataliya Rudenko and Ruslan Mukhtarov, discovered the horror via morning news reports.

Nataliya was prepping breakfast with their 11-year-old, Maryam, when the younger girl spotted Zemfira’s skateboard and bag on screen—triggering the awful realization.

![Image: 12-year-old risking it all on subway stairs in urban peril, filmed from above] Image credits: zemaspamzz / TikTok

Rudenko told Fox 5 New York: “She should’ve been sleeping in her bed. Now we’re arranging her services.”

Zemfira had snuck from their Bay Ridge residence in the dead of night, defying her parents’ rules. ![Image: First-person view from subway surfer under a rushing train] Image credits: zemaspamzz / TikTok

Facebook post by Norbz Joseph Cabrera: A message on averting such preventable heartbreaks in the 12-year-old subway surfing case. Social media reflection: A 12-year-old’s fatal subway surfing plunge underscores life’s fragility and questions parental accountability.

Zemfira was mere days from her 13th birthday on October 17.

Her dad shouldered guilt, lamenting that immigration struggles left him “stretched thin” on family time.

To the Daily News, Ruslan said more presence might’ve changed things: “Nothing’s certain, but perhaps this wouldn’t have happened.”

![Tweet: Police confirm two teens killed subway surfing in Brooklyn; investigation ongoing. pic.twitter.com/pq3P6eWkDP — 𝓐𝓼𝓱𝓾.𝓬𝓸𝓭𝓮 (@ashutoshd0509) October 8, 2025]*

“My takeaway: Cherish family moments over hurdles. Pour love and time into your kids—a cherished memory endures, even through unforeseen tragedies.”

Online reactions mourned the duo while many pointed fingers at the parents for the loss.

![Image: NYC ambulance lights flashing under elevated tracks at night, tied to subway surfing fatality] Image credits: FOX 5 New York / YouTube

One poster: “Sorry for the parents’ grief, but at 12, they needed tighter reins on her and her online habits.”

Another: “I grew up under strict guidance—grateful nothing slipped through the cracks!!!”

![Image: Marcy Avenue station sign in Manhattan, linked to 12-year-old’s subway surfing death] Image credits: FOX 5 New York / YouTube

“And parents let a 12-year-old keep her phone after seeing her stunts!?”

Nataliya pushed back against the backlash, portraying Zemfira as a “typical teen” into volleyball, martial arts, violin, and family Disneyland trips.

![Image: Officers wheeling a stretcher into a subway station post-12-year-old’s subway surfing tragedy] Image credits: FOX 5 New York / YouTube

Comment: Heartfelt prayers for the families of these lost young girls in the subway surfing horror. “She wasn’t a shut-in,” the mother said. “I can’t lock her door and throw away the key to stop this.”

Zemfira’s memorial is set for this Saturday.

Her father’s GoFundMe, “Help Us Honor Zemfira Mukhtarov’s Memory,” seeks funds for the rites.

![Image: Woman with ponytail in light shirt addressing the 12-year-old subway surfing tragedy and parental scrutiny outdoors at night] Image credits: FOX 5 New York / YouTube

Ruslan noted: “No parent should endure burying a child, and no youth deserves such a cruel fate. We’re reeling from this sorrow.”

Immigration woes, the parents said, robbed them of precious time with their kids. ![Image: Man and girl at dinner table, amid debates blaming parents in 12-year-old’s subway surfing death] Image credits: GoFundMe

Nearly $21,000 has poured in toward the $22,000 target.

Subway surfing falls under urban exploration’s risky umbrella, surging among NYC youth since 2018.

NYPD’s drone patrols nabbed over 130 kids in the act this year alone.

![Image: Two smiling girls at a table, connected to 12-year-old’s fatal subway surfing tale] Image credits: GoFundMe

Reports show six outer-train deaths last year, up from five in 2023.

Riding trains’ exteriors or gaps violates MTA rules in New York.

![Image: Girl in pink floral top brushing hair, symbolizing 12-year-old subway surfing victim and ensuing parent blame] Image credits: GoFundMe

MTA’s 2023 “Ride Inside, Stay Alive” push highlights the peril, begging riders to skip the stunts.

Online: “No pity for her—she earned it. Heart goes out to her folks and kin.” Facebook by Phil Wright: On teaching consequences and smart choices in the 12-year-old’s case. Post: A 12-year-old’s subway surfing death spotlights life’s value and parental duty. Paul Donados: “Subway surfing’s epic—you opt out, no sweat.” On light blue backdrop. Monica Trapps: MTA needs train cams or sensors to curb subway surfing risks. Screenshot: Social media slams parents’ phone oversight in 12-year-old’s subway surfing fatal stunt. Mourning post: Heartache for 12-year-old subway surfing victim; shield kids from online perils. Cindy Clark Reitz: Why hand a 12-year-old a phone knowing her risky subway surfing clips? Andrea Giroux Hayes: Kept my 15-year-old off social media post-12-year-old’s subway surfing tragedy. Post: Scrutiny on parents’ device monitoring after 12-year-old’s subway surfing mishap. Donna Lynne: Parents must own kids’ social media reins in wake of 12-year-old’s subway surfing loss. Robert Henry: Social media traps tied to 12-year-old’s subway surfing death raise parental alarms. “When TikTok parents your kids,” on the 12-year-old’s subway surfing demise. Elizabeth Charland: Social media’s hazards exposed in 12-year-old’s subway surfing tragedy. Susan Mackey: Grief for 12-year-old subway surfing victim; compassion for her parents. Susan Kitrenos: Prayers and solidarity for subway surfing-affected families. Frank De Jianne Sr.: Teens’ subway surfing risks and adult lessons from failures. Condolences post: Sorrow for 12-year-old subway surfing loss, with parent blame undertones.