World's smallest man dies

Reuters

TALL AND SHORT: World's shortest man He Pingping, left, with Bao Xishun, the world's tallest man at 2.36 metres, in 2007.

The world's shortest man, He Pingping, who was just under 75cm tall, has died age 21.

He was admitted to hospital two weeks ago after suffering a chest complaint and died on Saturday, the BBC reported.

He Pingping was officially recognised as the world's shortest man in 2008.

He was born in 1988 in Wulanchabu, China, with a form of primordial dwarfism.

Guinness World Records said he had made a "huge impact around the world".

"For such a small man, he made a huge impact around the world," BBC reported Guinness World Records editor-in-chief Craig Glenday as saying.

"From the moment I laid on eyes on him I knew he was someone special - he had such a cheeky smile and mischievous personality, you couldn't help but be charmed by him," he said.

He Pingping's body would be returned to China to be buried, BBC reported.

Guinness World Records says it will announce his successor as the world's shortest man in due course.

Khagendra Thapa Magar, 18, of Nepal, who is reportedly 51cm high, declared in February this year that he is the rightful holder of the title.