A Chinese tourist has miraculously survived seven days adrift at sea after being swept away by strong waves and spending nearly a week stranded on a floating buoy before being rescued by fishermen.
The man, identified as Chen, was rescued in early June near Hainan Province after drifting in open waters for seven days. According to local reports, the 39-year-old tourist from Guangxi had been walking along a beach in Haikou on May 27 when powerful waves pulled him into the sea.
With no swimming experience and no life-saving equipment, Chen was carried into deeper waters. He was unable to call for help after losing his mobile phone during the ordeal.
To conserve energy and stay afloat, he removed his trousers, shoes, watch and ring while drifting in the water. The following day, he managed to climb onto a floating buoy, which became his temporary refuge until help arrived.
As the days passed, Chen endured hunger, dehydration and exposure to intense sunlight. He later recalled watching boats pass in the distance but being unable to attract attention. With no food available, he survived by eating dozens of small raw crabs he found around the buoy.
The prolonged isolation also affected his mental state. By the seventh day, when two fishermen finally discovered him, Chen reportedly mistook a rescue pole extended towards him for a door and believed friends were inviting him to dinner.
The fishermen brought him aboard their vessel, provided water, cleaned him up and dressed him in dry clothes. They also noticed multiple wounds and severe sun damage on his body. To keep him conscious, they continued talking to him throughout the journey back to shore.
Chen was later admitted to hospital suffering from severe dehydration, extensive skin damage and digestive complications. Doctors initially placed him in intensive care before transferring him to a general ward after his condition stabilised.
He credited determination and hope for helping him survive the remarkable seven-day ordeal.