Chinese diver survives five days in submerged cave in “true miracle” PHOTO

A Chinese man has stunned the nation after surviving five days and nights trapped in an underwater cave, sparking disbelief and amazement across social media.

The dramatic incident began on July 19, when Wang, a diving enthusiast in his 40s from Furong Town in Xiangxi, Hunan province, went missing during a routine river dive with a friend. He disappeared just five minutes into the dive in a river known to reach depths of several dozen metres. The entrance to an intricate cave system lies approximately nine metres below the surface, Caliber.Az reports, citing South China Morning Post. 

Local police swiftly launched a large-scale search operation, calling in the Xiangxi Shuguang Rescue Team and cave diving specialists from Baise, a city in southern China’s Guangxi autonomous region.

Despite two deep dives into the cave system by Baise’s special police forces, early efforts failed to locate the missing diver. During the second dive, rescuers reported hearing faint knocking sounds on rocks. They ordered the boat engines at the surface to be shut off to improve listening conditions, but the sound did not return.

Divers descended to around 130 metres but found no sign of Wang. However, on their way back up, at around 100 metres, they made a crucial breakthrough.

Tian Yanglin, captain of the Xiangxi Shuguang Rescue Team, told the Xiaoxiang Morning Herald that Wang had heard the divers and knocked on rocks as they passed, but received no response. “Wang even saw them swim past beneath him, heading towards the deeper parts of the cave,” Tian said.

With his oxygen supply reduced to just four per cent, Wang made a desperate move. Spotting the divers returning, he jumped from the air pocket where he had taken refuge and waved a flashlight that he had kept charged, leading to his dramatic rescue.

“That moment was his last chance,” Tian said.

Wang had survived by sheltering in a hollow section of the cave that contained a trapped air pocket, allowing him to breathe. He later told rescuers that he had lost all sense of time and had survived by eating raw fish.

Incredibly, Wang was able to walk to the ambulance without needing a stretcher. His first words to rescuers were: “Do you have a cigarette?”

News of Wang’s survival triggered widespread astonishment online.

“Nine metres underwater, pitch black, survived for five days. Unbelievable. A true miracle. His mind did not collapse. What incredible willpower!” one commenter wrote.

“To survive five days and still be in good condition, he is not just lucky, he is superhuman,” said another.

A third user added: “It must have been pitch black in that cave. I am really wondering, how did he manage to catch fish?”

By Sabina Mammadli