In a miraculous survival story that has captivated China, a man who went missing during a river dive in Hunan province was found alive after five days underwater — sustained only by an air pocket and raw fish.
The diver, surnamed Wang, had been exploring a river in Yongshun County, Xiangxi, on 20 July 2025 with a friend when things took a terrifying turn. Equipped with a cylinder of compressed air, Wang vanished during the dive, prompting a frantic search by police and rescue teams.
Vanished in the Deep — But Still Alive
At around 3am, Wang’s dive companion lost contact with him. With no sign of him surfacing, authorities were alerted, and search operations commenced. Teams from the Xiangxi Shuguang rescue unit and special police divers from Baise in Guangxi joined the efforts.
After days of intensive diving in challenging conditions, a breakthrough came on 24 July. Divers from the Baise unit, during a descent into a submerged cave system, heard a faint knocking on the surrounding rocks. Guided by the sound, they discovered Wang in an air pocket about 9 metres below the surface and 100 metres deep into the mountain.
He had been stranded inside the underwater cave after becoming disoriented and running low on oxygen. Remarkably, he managed to survive in the small oxygen pocket by consuming raw fish to keep his energy levels up.
A Flashlight and 4% Oxygen Left
According to state broadcaster CCTV, Wang had lost all track of time in the darkness. He initially saw rescue divers pass by him but couldn’t get their attention despite knocking. Later, as they resurfaced, Wang managed to leap into the water and wave a flashlight, alerting them to his presence — with just 4 per cent air remaining in his cylinder.
The leader of the rescue team told Xiaoxiang Morning Herald that Wang was in good physical condition despite his ordeal. He reportedly walked out of the cave without a stretcher and into the ambulance, astonishing rescuers with his resilience.
His first words after rescue? A casual, “Do you have a cigarette?”
Praise for Heroic Rescue Effort
This extraordinary survival has sparked praise across Chinese social media, with many lauding the rescue teams’ dedication and skill. The cave divers navigated tight underwater passages with limited visibility to locate and retrieve Wang.
While Wang’s story has ended with relief and recovery, experts are urging caution when diving in natural cave systems, especially without professional support or full familiarity with the terrain. Rescue personnel also emphasised the importance of remaining calm and conserving oxygen in survival situations.
Wang’s experience is a chilling yet inspiring tale of human willpower, quick thinking, and the power of teamwork — reminding us all that even in complete darkness, hope can still surface.