Refer China: Lost diver survive 5 days underwater,lives on fish until rescued

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A Chinese diver miraculously survived five days and nights trapped in an underwater cave, leaving netizens in disbelief and shock.

A Chinese man survived five days trapped underwater while diving in a cave by living on raw fish until he was rescued. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

The incident unfolded on July 19, when Wang, a diving enthusiast in his 40s from Furong Town in Xiangxi, Hunan province, central China, went missing just five minutes into a river dive with a friend.

The river runs several dozen metres deep, with the entrance to an intricate cave system located around nine metres below the surface.

Police immediately launched a search operation and sought help from the Xiangxi Shuguang Rescue Team and special police forces from the city of Baise in the Guangxi autonomous region of southern China.

A cave diving team from Baise's special forces carried out two deep dives into the cave, but initial searches proved unsuccessful.

During the second dive, rescuers heard what sounded like someone knocking on rocks.

They immediately instructed the surface team to shut off the boat engines to improve listening conditions, but the sound did not return.

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The divers then reached a depth of about 130 metres but found nothing.

However, on their way back up, around the 100-metre mark, they made a breakthrough.

Miraculously, Wang walked away without the aid of a stretcher, despite his ordeal. Photo: handout

Tian Yanglin, the captain of the Xiangxi Shuguang Rescue Team, told the Xiaoxiang Morning Herald that when the cave divers approached, Wang did knock on the rocks but received no response.

Wang even saw them swim past beneath him, heading towards the deeper parts of the cave.

As his oxygen supply level dropped to just four per cent, Wang jumped into the water from the air pocket when he saw the divers returning and waved a flashlight he had kept charged.

This led to his discovery and rescue.

Emergency rescue teams prepare to make a deep dive in search of Wang. Photo: Handout

"That moment was his last chance," Tian said.

Wang managed to survive by finding refuge in a hollow section of the cave, an air pocket that provided breathable space despite being deep underwater.

He later recounted that after accidentally entering the cave, he completely lost track of time and survived by eating raw fish.

Remarkably, Wang was reported to be in good condition and even walked to the ambulance without needing a stretcher.

His first words to his rescuers were: "Do you have a cigarette?"

Wang's story sparked a widespread online discussion, with many people expressing awe and disbelief.

Source :

Editor: Crystal H