A young man in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai has miraculously survived nine days after being swept away by floodwaters.
Phan Minh Thang, 20, from Dak Doa District’s Kdang Commune is undergoing treatment at Mang Yang District’s Healthcare Centre in a state of severe exhaustion after being rescued.
Thang recalled that on the morning of September 16, while watching the locals fishing on a sandbank on Ayun River in Mang Yang District’s Dak Djrang Commune, he fell asleep. Soon after, the river water rose and swept him away. Luckily, he managed to grab onto a bush in the middle of the river and became trapped there.
Thang's condition has improved (Photo by Pham Hoang)
The river’s water level was so high with strong current, so he didn’t dare swim to shore. To survive, he tried to cling tightly to a branch and drank river water to stay alive. He just hoped to see someone pass by, but there was no one.
Thang's family had informed local police about his missing after being unable to contact him.
According to a police officer from Dak Djrang Commune, on September 24, Thang was found lying motionless on the branch of a tree in the middle of the river. At that moment, the rescue team thought he had died, but fortunately, he was still alert. He was then taken ashore safely.
Thang has been found lying motionless on the branch of a tree after nine days (Photo by the police of Mang Yang District)
Bui Van Son, director of Mang Yang District’s Health Centre, said that Thang’s condition has improved but he is still struggling with a severe sore throat and pain in both feet due to being stranded in the river for many days.
