A six-year-old boy reported missing for five days has been successfully located deep within a forest in Vietnam, capturing national attention.
Dang Tien Lam, from the northwestern Yen Bai province, vanished while playing in a stream with his nine siblings on August 17. His adventurous spirit led him into the hills, where he ultimately lost his way.
On Wednesday, local farmers clearing a cinnamon field alerted authorities after hearing a child’s cries. Lam was discovered sitting in cassava bushes approximately 6 kilometers from where he had gone missing, significantly weakened and unable to stand.
“I’m so tired; I can’t stand up, please carry me,” Lam pleaded to the farmers.
Remarkably, he survived the ordeal by consuming leaves and wild fruits, as well as drinking from a nearby stream. Local images captured the moment he was rescued, showing him in a red shirt and shorts, both dirtied and messy, alongside grateful locals who offered him food after his rescue.
According to a local farmer involved in the search, Lam expressed confusion about his surroundings, stating, “When I got lost, I could not find my way home. And the more I walked, the more I couldn’t find a way out.”
Authorities confirmed it was a “miracle” that Lam was found alive and reported that he is now in stable health. In a heartwarming message, officials congratulated the child on his safe return to his family.
The successful rescue has sparked widespread relief and joy across Vietnamese social media, with many expressing their gratitude to the search team for their tireless efforts. Local authorities coordinated a rescue operation involving more than 150 personnel, including police officers, soldiers, and volunteers, showcasing the community’s support in times of crisis.
