Rescue Team Heads to the Scene
Quick Read
A cave exploration turns tragic, sparking a race against time for survival. On the afternoon of March 19, five hikers from Guizhou, Hubei, Guangxi, Shaanxi, and Sichuan were trekking toward Hoh Xil in Qinghai when they passed through Muzhuo Township, Zhenxiong County, Zhaotong, Yunnan. Enchanted by the breathtaking beauty of the mysterious Xianren Cave, they decided to explore it. While inside, Li Xiong, the team leader from Bijie, Guizhou, accidentally slipped and fell into the deep, bottomless cave... The safety and survival of Li Xiong gripped local authorities and all those informed, prompting a swift and well-coordinated rescue operation: police from Muzhuo Police Station rushed to the scene, residents of Liujing Village in Muzhuo Township volunteered to help, netizens posted appeals for help on Weibo, the Zhenxiong Fire Brigade entered the cave for rescue efforts, the Zhenxiong Mine Rescue Team searched overnight, the China Red Cross Blue Sky Rescue Team’s cave rescue unit arrived to assist, and the Guizhou Youth Volunteer Emergency Rescue Service Team hurried to Zhenxiong that same night. After 68 hours of rescue efforts, at 11:55 AM on the 22nd, rescuers found the body of Li Xiong lying on the ground at a depth of 175 meters inside the cave. At 1:32 PM, it was determined that he had ultimately fallen 215 meters down a cliff inside the cave. Forensic examination by the rescue team confirmed that Li Xiong died from intracranial bleeding, ear bleeding, and eye bleeding.
The Incident
Guizhou Hiker Tragically Falls into Cave
Around 2 PM on the 22nd, reporters drove to the site of the accident at Xianren Cave in Liujing Village, Muzhuo Township, Zhenxiong County. Hundreds of onlookers leaned against the highway guardrail, anxiously staring at the cave entrance over 200 meters below, hoping for the trapped hiker to be rescued soon.
Reporters walked down the steep, slippery cliffside path toward the cave entrance. Twenty minutes later, they arrived to see nine members of the China Red Cross Blue Sky Rescue Team’s cave rescue unit surveying the site and discussing rescue plans. “Ah, despite our best efforts, this hiker has unfortunately lost his life,” sighed Mr. Li, a member of the rescue team, prompting shaking heads and sorrowful expressions from the crowd.
“Ah… ah!! Today (the 22nd) was actually Li Xiong’s 23rd birthday…” At the cave entrance, Xiao He, a hiker from Ankang, Shaanxi, spoke with a heavy heart, his body trembling along with his voice as he painfully recalled the sequence of events: Last December, Li Xiong, a 23-year-old adventure enthusiast from Bijie, Guizhou, posted on Baidu Tieba’s “Hiking Bar” inviting fellow hikers to join him on a trek from Yangshuo, Guangxi, to Hoh Xil, Qinghai, with plans to explore caves along the way. His invitation was immediately accepted by Xiao He, Xiao Zeng from Sichuan, Xiao Xu (female) from Hubei, Xiao Huang (female) from Guangxi, and three others, making a group of seven. On December 30th, the seven visited Li Xiong’s sister, who lives in Yulin, Guangxi, where she had moved after marriage. The next day, on New Year’s Day, they set off from Yangshuo Bridge in Yangshuo County, Yulin, embarking on their hiking and exploration journey. Along the way, two members dropped out due to personal reasons.
Xiao He said that at 2 PM on March 19th, after 80 days of trekking, the five of them reached the fork in the road at Sanping Group, Cangping Village, Muzhuo Township, Zhenxiong County, planning to head to Luokan Town, Zhenxiong, and then to Sichuan. While asking for directions at the fork, a kind local recommended Xianren Cave, one of the “Eight Scenic Spots Outside Zhenxiong.” From afar, the cave appeared majestic, surrounded by towering mountains and deep valleys. The five decided to check it out. Upon arrival, they were immediately captivated and awed by the cave’s beauty: cascading waterfalls, murmuring springs, rugged peaks, lush forests, a mysterious cave entrance, and enchanting legends… At 3:10 PM that afternoon, the five entered the first downward platform outside the cave entrance, intending to go deeper, but the slippery and steep terrain made further progress impossible, forcing them to retreat the way they came. However, Li Xiong, driven by curiosity, was drawn to the cave’s beauty. After asking the others to wait, he detoured around the platform toward a nearby stream. While climbing over a small 3-meter rock below the platform, he unfortunately slipped and fell onto a sloped ledge below. The moss-covered surface was slippery, and Li Xiong lost control of his descent, tumbling into a dark void. After a dull “thud,” there was no further sound.
Xiao Huang, who witnessed Li Xiong’s final moments, shouted in horror. The other hikers also yelled into the cave entrance, but there was no response from Li Xiong. Soon after, the four of them reported the incident to local police and firefighters.