Construction Supervisor Miraculously Rescued After 16 Hours Trapped in Floodwaters

A construction site supervisor miraculously survived after being swept away by flash floods in Taiwan's Mat'an'an River and being trapped for over 16 hours. The incident occurred Tuesday afternoon in Guangfu Township, Hualien County, when torrential rains caused the river to surge.

The supervisor, surnamed Deng, was working on a riverbank protection project when the floodwaters engulfed him. He was carried downstream and became trapped in the riverbed amidst mud and debris. Despite the perilous conditions and prolonged entrapment, Deng managed to hold onto floating debris, which likely aided his survival.

Rescue efforts were launched immediately after he was reported missing. After a harrowing 16-hour ordeal, Deng was found approximately nine kilometers downstream from where he was initially swept away. He was discovered alive, though suffering from minor brain bleeding, and was promptly transported to Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital for medical observation and treatment.