Construction supervisor swept away by flood in Hualien rescued after 16 hours

A construction site supervisor in Hualien, Taiwan, miraculously survived for 16 hours after being swept away by floodwaters, thanks to the persistent efforts of his friends and colleagues. The man, identified by the surname Deng, was working on a flood control project along the Maotai'an River in Guangfu Township when heavy rains caused the river to surge on June 8.

As Deng was reportedly swept away by the water while driving, his colleagues immediately launched a rescue operation. They used an excavator to search the riverbed and alerted emergency services. Although they found his jeep later that afternoon, Deng was not immediately located. The search was temporarily halted due to heavy rain that evening but resumed with determination by Deng's friends, colleagues, and local volunteers.

“

Help me

Late that night, around 9 p.m., a group of indigenous youths searching along the riverbank in Fenglin Township heard faint calls for help. Following the sounds, they contacted friends with rescue experience and notified the fire department. Firefighters deployed a drone with thermal imaging, which detected a heat signature around 10 p.m., confirming Deng was alive. The drone's faint light guided rescuers through the difficult terrain.

Rescuers, including tribal youths, navigated treacherous conditions, wading through water and crawling through thick mud for nearly half an hour to cover a short distance. Deng was found around 4:39 a.m. the next morning, barely conscious and submerged in mud. He was reportedly clinging to a large piece of driftwood, which likely aided his survival in the turbulent waters. He was transported to Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, where he is being treated for abrasions, bruises, hypothermia, and a minor brain hemorrhage. His condition is stable, and he is resting.

“

Come on, come on