In a remarkable event, a man was rescued from dangerous floodwaters by a drone. The individual, identified as Nguyen Van Hat, was stranded on an island in Dak Lak province within Vietnam’s central mountainous area as the water levels rapidly rose. The rescue operation swiftly commenced to save him from the perilous situation.
Video footage captured on Friday morning depicted a sizable drone hovering just above the turbulent floodwaters. A life buoy was then lowered from the drone on sturdy straps, while 49-year-old Nguyen clung onto them in an attempt to be rescued.
The drone bravely fought against the strong current of the floodwaters to extract Nguyen from the river. Despite moments of uncertainty where the machine seemed at risk of falling into the water, the drone successfully airlifted Nguyen across the river to safety. The farm worker had been stranded on the island while working on a sandbar when the river surged around him.
Local rescuers, along with another farmer who brought the drone, assisted in the rescue mission. They securely tied a buoy to the drone and transported it to where Nguyen was stranded.
Authorities, upon discovering Mr. Hat on an oasis in the middle of the Serepok River, coordinated with the police to ensure his safety. As the river’s water level continued to rise rapidly, a drone was deployed to safely bring Nguyen to shore, averting a potentially dire situation.
Tragically, reports indicate that 90 individuals have lost their lives in the flooding in Vietnam, with 12 individuals still unaccounted for. The country experienced relentless heavy rainfall in late October, resulting in severe flooding across various regions.
Numerous coastal provinces were severely affected by the downpour, leading to landslides in highland regions. In Dak Lak, a 61-year-old farmer shared his harrowing experience of being stranded with his wife on their metal roof for two nights as the floodwaters surged rapidly, causing widespread destruction in their neighborhood.
He recounted, “Our neighborhood was completely destroyed. Nothing was left. Everything was covered in mud.” As of the latest reports, four areas in the province remain inundated, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced in the aftermath of the devastating floods.