A Turkish paragliding YouTuber and his "airbed", robot dogs and an exploding World War II bomb – the most popular stories on CGTN Europe have not just been about the latest coronavirus news.

During a year when the news has been dominated around Europe by the COVID-19 pandemic it's unsurprising that much of the most read content has centered on this. 

But aside from keeping up to date with the spread of the virus, CGTN viewers have also enjoyed off-beat and less hard-hitting stories – especially on social media, where pets and animals in general have proved as popular as ever.

Here we take a look at the most viewed stories of 2020 on CGTN digital.

Facebook

A robot dog that could replace humans and volunteers rescuing dogs in Beirut were both in the reckoning but the most popular story was about paraglider Hasan Kaval in Turkey who was filmed launching himself off a mountain lying in an "airbed." Watch it here.

Also popular on Facebook:

Meet the robot dog that could replace humans

Saving Beirut's pets left homeless after the blast

What happened in the Beirut explosion, which left at least 100 people dead and thousands more injured?

Instagram

Footage of wild animals taking to the streets during lockdown was a big hit but the most viewed was a video last January on the building in just a few weeks of a new hospital in Wuhan, China to tackle the start of the outbreak. Watch it here.

Also popular on Instagram:

With humans staying off the streets wild animals are moving in 

How to make your own hand sanitizer

Panda cub stars on public debut at Dutch Zoo

YouTube

A massive World War II bomb seen exploding under water in Poland had the most clicks on YouTube. The largest ever bomb discovered in the country, a 5-ton Tallboy, went off while divers were trying to deactivate it – fortunately nobody was injured. Watch it here.

Also popular on YouTube:

Europe's first 'flight to nowhere'

How to wear makeup with a mask: online tutorial

Fitbit for pets?

CGTN Europe Website

COVID-19 stories proved the most popular on the website, with an article looking at whether people should worry about catching the virus a second time being the most viewed. Read it here.

Also popular on the CGTN Europe website:

Does Sweden's COVID-19 experience support the herd immunity theory?

Fine dining will no longer be 'sexy,' says Michelin Chef

Baby of critically endangered rhino born at UK zoo