According to local media sources, a man who went missing for 17 days following an earthquake in China’s southwest Sichuan province has been found alive.
After the magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck Sichuan on September 5, the 28-year-old hydropower station worker Gan Yu stayed behind with his coworker Luo Yong.
The earthquake left hundreds of people injured and 93 dead.
According to the state-run China National Radio, Gan provided first aid for his colleagues and assisted in preventing flooding by releasing water from the dam.
Then, without access to food or a phone signal, Gan and Luo remained in the station for more than a day.
On Sept. 7, the two attempted to depart, covering more than 12 kilometers on foot. However, according to local media, Gan, who is nearsighted, had misplaced his spectacles and was having trouble traversing the rocky terrain.
The two ultimately agreed to part ways, with Luo moving off to seek help and Gan remaining behind to provide for himself as he awaited assistance with some wild fruits and bamboo shoots.
On September 8, rescuers located Luo, but when they returned to where he had left Gan, he was gone. Rescuers worried that Gan may have died from hypothermia after finding just abandoned clothing and footprints.
Nevertheless, Gan was found by a nearby farmer who joined the hunt on Wednesday since he was familiar with the highlands.
After two hours of looking, Ni Taigao heard Gan’s weak moans and found him wounded among some trees.
Gan had left the waiting area, but it was unclear why.
According to the state-run news source China Daily, Gan claimed he survived the 17-day ordeal by eating wild fruits and drinking water.
Doctors found many bone fractures after he was airlifted to a nearby hospital.
Gan was seen eating a snack, being rescued, and being reunited with his parents on footage from state television station CCTV.
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