On July 28, Wuhan volunteers rescued an Iraqi student from drowning in the Han River. The 120m relay used three rescuers. Patrols to Sept 10; river dangerous.
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Source: OT-Team(G), 极目新闻
A routine patrol along the Han River turned into a life-saving mission on July 28, when three members of the Wuhan Yangtze River Rescue Volunteer Team worked together to pull an Iraqi student from dangerous waters.
At around 6 p.m., Zhou Mingqiang, a member of the team’s winter swimming rescue unit, was conducting a regular patrol near the Baoshuyan sluice gate in Qiaokou District when he suddenly heard urgent cries for help coming from the river.
Looking toward the sound, Zhou saw a young swimmer struggling in the water. The man had been hit by waves and began choking, losing control of his movements as his strength quickly faded. He was at risk of sinking.
Zhou immediately called out to security staff on shore, asking them to bring a life ring to the riverbank. At the same time, rescue team member Li Xunhua rushed into action, taking the life ring handed over by the security guard and swimming toward the swimmer.
However, the strong current and long distance made the rescue extremely difficult. After fighting through the water for some time, Li began to run out of strength and was unable to reach the swimmer.
At the critical moment, Cao Wei, a former military service member, entered the water as the second rescuer. Relying on his physical training and swimming skills, Cao quickly reached the struggling swimmer and secured the life ring around him.
But by then, Cao had also become exhausted. Unable to swim back against the current, the two were carried downstream by the fast-moving river.
Just when the situation became more dangerous, rescuer Liu Guoqiao arrived from downstream and joined the effort. Holding tightly onto the life ring, Liu used all his remaining strength to pull the swimmer toward the riverbank through the turbulent waters.
The rescue covered about 120 meters, with every meter testing the rescuers’ physical strength and determination. Eventually, Liu successfully brought the swimmer safely to shore, completing a coordinated “life relay” with Li and Cao.
After the rescue, Zhou asked about what had happened. The swimmer said he was an Iraqi student at Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. During the swim, he suddenly experienced weakness in half of his body, leaving him unable to move normally in the water.
Zhou then provided emotional support and explained safety precautions for outdoor swimming in the Han River, reminding him not to enter unfamiliar waters without proper preparation and safety measures.
The Wuhan Yangtze River Rescue Volunteer Team was founded by winter swimming enthusiasts in 2010 and officially registered in 2015. It now has more than 3,500 volunteers across 47 branches, covering 22 riverside patrol points along the Yangtze River and Han River in Wuhan.
The team regularly conducts patrols and emergency rescues along the two rivers, following the principles of “shore support first, teamwork first, and equipment first.” Wuhan’s 2026 flood-season safety rescue patrols for the Yangtze and Han rivers began on June 1 and will continue through September 10.
From Li’s first attempt to reach the swimmer, to Cao securing the life ring, and Liu’s final downstream rescue effort, the three rescuers completed a textbook-style relay in the middle of a powerful river current.
Their actions showed the dedication of Wuhan’s river rescue volunteers, who continue to protect residents and visitors along the city’s waterways.
The Wuhan Yangtze River Rescue Volunteer Team also reminded the public that the Yangtze and Han rivers have complex water conditions, including hidden currents and unpredictable risks. Outdoor swimming in areas without safety facilities or rescue personnel can be extremely dangerous.
“Life comes only once. Safety should always come first.”
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