Drone Rescues Man Trapped in Floodwaters in China’s Guangxi

A dramatic drone rescue in the flood-hit Guangxi region of southern China has caught global attention. A heavy-lift drone safely airlifted a man stranded on a rooftop above swift floodwaters after conventional rescue methods failed. The remarkable footage, captured in June and now viral online, highlights how innovative tech is aiding disaster response

• Location: Liuzhou city, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

• Victim: Man trapped on a rooftop as floodwaters rose

• Drone used: Heavy-lift type, reputedly capable of carrying up to 100 kg

• Tied sandbag harness; drone flew to rooftop, instructions given, then the person was lifted to safety

• Time: The rescue took under a minute once the drone arrived

• Reason: Fast-moving flood currents made boats and rescuers unsafe

• Flood crisis

• Heavy rains caused severe flooding across Guangxi, affecting around 180,000 people, with over 68,000 evacuated 

• Swift currents blocked access by boat or foot.

• Neighborly innovation

• A neighbour, referred to as "Lai," used his agricultural drone (normally carrying bricks/cement, up to 100 kg) to attempt a rescue

• He fashioned a sandbag harness and communicated via phone to guide the stranded man.

• Aerial rescue

• The drone hovered around 65 feet high, navigating trees and utility lines, then lowered the man to safety on the road

• Golden-minute rescue

• A fast drone intervention enabled rescue in under a minute, crucial when every second counts

• Tech in disaster management

• China has deployed UAVs widely for flooding, earthquakes, wildfires, and power grid inspections 

• Protecting rescuers

• Drones help reduce risk to human teams, especially in dangerous waters or unstable zones.

• Versatile applications

• Drones offer surveillance, supply drops, infrastructure inspection, and communications, especially useful in Guangxi’s mountainous terrain.

China's fire and rescue teams now operate over 14,000 drones, including fixed-wing and multi-rotor types 

Known for disaster relief, long endurance, heavy payload, and even acting as a temporary communications relay

Drones equipped with lights, thermal cameras, life buoys, and foam are used in rescue drills throughout Guangxi and other provinces

Emergency drone programmes

Drones should be part of flood disaster response in vulnerable areas.

Training and certification

Local drone operators need structured training for rescue missions.

Equipment standards

Heavy-lift, tethered, thermal, and lighting drones should be standard in disaster kits.

Safety regulations

Must ensure drone rescues are safe around power lines and tall structures.

Global tech adoption

Other countries affected by floods can model similar drone rescue efforts.

The remarkable drone rescue in flood-hit Guangxi demonstrates the power of technology, local innovation, and community spirit in crisis, executed in under a minute. With climate change raising flood risks globally, such drone-based rescue tools and methods offer a lifesaving blueprint. As drone use expands, standardized training and infrastructure can help replicate these success stories worldwide.