A diver from Furong Town in Xiangxi, Hunan province was rescued after days of survival underwater. He lived in a submerged cave system for five days before being rescued.
The man, identified only as Wang and believed to be in his 40s, vanished on July 19 during a dive with a friend in a local river. Known for its depth and intricate cave systems, the river’s underwater entrance lies about nine metres beneath the surface. Merely five minutes into the dive, Wang disappeared, prompting his companion to sound the alarm.
Massive Search Launched Amid Fading Hopes
In response, local police sprang into action, seeking help from the Xiangxi Shuguang Rescue Team and cave-diving experts from Baise, Guangxi autonomous region. Despite two intensive dives conducted by Baise’s specialist police cave unit, rescuers found no trace of Wang in the early stages.
During a descent, divers believed they heard faint knocking from inside the cave. Immediately, surface teams were asked to cut engine noise. After that, they listened closely but the sound did not return. However, due to the suspicion, rescue attempts continued. The divers eventually reached the depths of 130 metres without locating the missing diver.
A Final Signal and a Miraculous Breakthrough
Wang was finally spotted at around 100 metres during the team’s ascent. Tian Yanglin, captain of the Xiangxi Shuguang Rescue Team, explained that Wang had seen the divers pass above him earlier but was unable to alert them. As his oxygen dwindled to just 4 per cent, Wang made one last attempt to be seen, he leapt from a small air pocket into the water and waved a flashlight.
“That moment was his last chance,” Tian told the Xiaoxiang Morning Herald, as quoted by SCMP.
Surviving the Impossible
Wang was trapped in a small air-filled space, a cave submerged underwater. He endured extreme isolation, anxiety and confusion. He lost track of time and ate raw fish for survival. Despite all this, Wang emerged in very good health and shape. He even walked to the ambulance without any support or assistance.
His first words upon rescue, after days of being alone in darkness and uncertainty, were simply: “Do you have a cigarette?”
