An 8-year-old girl in China’s Guizhou province was dramatically rescued after spending more than seven hours trapped in a sewer during severe flooding. The incident occurred on Monday, June 23, 2025, as the girl was returning home from school. According to local firefighters, she was swept into a drainage ditch by powerful floodwaters while attempting to retrieve her lost shoe, highlighting the dangers posed by the relentless rains battering southern China.

The girl’s survival was credited to her remarkable composure and quick thinking. She managed to hold onto a horizontal bar located about 32 feet down in the sewage system, which prevented her from being carried further by the current. For over seven hours, she endured pitch-black darkness, cold, and fear but displayed extraordinary resilience and calmness throughout the ordeal. When found, she was soaked from head to toe but had suffered no serious injuries, according to officials.

Firefighters praised the young student’s bravery, noting her ability to fight against overwhelming circumstances. Their statement described her as a “first-grade girl who battled the pitch-black darkness, coldness, and ongoing fear with remarkable composure and determination.” The rescue team commended her perseverance and gave her a “thumbs-up” for her courage. The incident has drawn widespread attention, serving as a symbol of hope amid the devastation caused by the floods.

The severe weather has had a broader impact across southern China, with at least six people reported dead and more than 80,000 evacuated since June 17. Provinces including Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, and Hubei have experienced extensive flooding, infrastructure collapse, and ongoing risks of landslides and further disasters. The Chinese government has allocated substantial disaster relief funds to support affected regions as recovery and cleanup efforts continue.