GUANGXI, China — A man stranded on a rooftop during severe flooding in southwestern China was lifted to safety by a drone in a dramatic, improvised rescue captured on video, DroneXL reported.
The incident occurred in Guangxi Province, where heavy rainfall triggered widespread flooding. Drone operator Lai Zhongxin was using his agricultural drone to transport supplies for displaced residents when he spotted the man surrounded by rising waters.
@nytimes A Chinese drone operator was transporting the belongings of villagers displaced by flooding in southwestern China when he spotted a man on the rooftop of a house. Waters had reached a dangerous level, he told the state broadcaster CCTV, so he used the drone to move the man to safety. #China #drone
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Realizing the danger, Lai adapted his drone, normally used for spraying fertilizer and carrying construction materials, to lift the man to safety. Using a cord attached to the drone, he hoisted the individual off the roof and placed him on a nearby road.
While not designed for rescue, the drone’s ability to carry heavy loads made the operation possible. Agricultural drones like the one used typically support payloads over 50 pounds and can fly up to 30 minutes across several miles, depending on conditions.
The rescue underscores the potential of drones in crisis scenarios, even as most commercially available UAVs lack features like thermal imaging or autonomous navigation required for large-scale search-and-rescue missions.
Outfitting drones for emergency use with additional sensors, winches or cameras can cost thousands of dollars, posing economic barriers. However, the Guangxi rescue may prompt further investment in dual-use UAVs capable of serving both commercial and humanitarian functions.
