Guilin Fire Emergency Rescue: A sudden flash flood in a valley in Yangshuo trapped 35 tourists
At noon on August 23, rainstorm suddenly fell in Yangshuo County, Guilin, Guangxi. In a valley of Yanheping Village, Sidi Village Committee, Xingping Town, Yangshuo County, 35 tourists were trapped in the valley due to sudden flash floods. At 11:50 on the same day, the Guilin Fire Rescue Detachment immediately dispatched 3 fire trucks, 2 rubber boats, and 19 fire rescue personnel to the scene upon receiving the alarm.
After the firefighting and rescue personnel arrived at the scene, they learned from on-site insiders that 16 tourists had escaped on their own due to the relatively flat slopes in their location, while the remaining 19 tourists were trapped on steep slopes and found it difficult to move on their own.
Due to the turbulent water flow in the valley, it was not conducive to the deployment of rubber boats. With the assistance of local guides, the commander immediately organized a rescue team to use ropes, flat belts and other equipment to lay ropes in sections from the mountain at a vertical height of about 25 meters to the location of the trapped personnel. After using safety harnesses, safety belts, safety hooks and other equipment to protect trapped individuals, they are gradually transferred to safe areas. At 16:10, all 19 trapped individuals were safely transferred.
According to the trapped people, they were participating in the "river exploration" activity organized by a hotel at that time. The river in the valley was originally clear. But unexpectedly, rainstorm came and mountain torrents broke out. The tourists were cut off on both sides of the valley by the torrential current. Due to the steep terrain, they could not get out of the difficulty. They immediately called 119 to call the police. Fortunately, the rescue was timely and no casualties occurred.
Guilin Fire reminds citizens and tourists to check the weather forecast in advance when going out to play, keep track of weather changes, try to avoid dangerous areas such as mountainous areas and rivers, and prevent natural disasters caused by sudden weather changes from causing damage to their lives and property. If in danger and unable to escape on your own, please call 119 for help in a timely manner.