Man Swims Three Hours Through Floods to Rescue Parents in China

In a dramatic act of courage, a 30-year-old man in southern China swam for nearly three hours through treacherous floodwaters to reach his parents after losing contact with them during devastating floods in Qinzhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. The incident occurred on July 6, amid torrential rains and dam collapses that have claimed 39 lives and disrupted the lives of nearly 400,000 residents.

A Risky Mission Fueled by Family Concern

The man, identified only by his surname Xie, became alarmed after his mother called to inform him that his 63-year-old father had gone to secure harvested rice stored in their flooded home but had not returned. Shortly after, power outages caused by rising floodwaters disrupted mobile networks, cutting off communication with his parents.

Xie, who lives in town with his siblings, spent the night worrying about his father’s safety. Determined to act, he and a friend purchased truck tyres to use as flotation devices and embarked on the perilous journey to his parents' village, located approximately 10 km away. The final kilometre of their swim alone took an hour to navigate, underscoring the severity of the flooding.

Emotional Reunion Met with Scolding

Upon reaching the family’s flooded home, Xie found his father trapped on the upper floor, where he had been attempting to save the harvested rice. While relieved to see his son, the elderly man chastised Xie for risking his life over property. Xie guided his father along a narrow path behind the house to a second family home on higher ground, which had escaped the flooding.

Xie’s mother, overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing her son soaked from the journey, also reprimanded him for putting himself in danger. After ensuring their safety, Xie swam back to the city later that day, enduring another two hours in the hazardous floodwaters.

Context of the Disaster

The floods in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region have wreaked havoc, with widespread destruction and loss of life. Xie’s actions highlight the lengths individuals are willing to go to protect their loved ones in the face of natural disasters. His story serves as both a testament to familial bonds and a reminder of the risks posed by extreme weather events.

Source: Indian Express