The incident in Guangxi sparks debate, admiration, and questions over drone safety, legality, and future rescue capabilities. In recent days, a dramatic video has captivated millions across the internet, showing a man dangling from a long cable beneath a massive drone, being rescued from a flood in southern China.
The clip, which was widely circulated on platforms like Weibo, Douyin, and X, was met with both amazement and skepticism. Many viewers marveled at the drone’s capabilities while others questioned the authenticity and legality of using such technology for human transport. What’s undeniable is that this moment — where a Drone Lifting Man During Flood — represents a major leap in how technology is intersecting with emergency response in China.
As climate events become increasingly extreme, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for humanitarian purposes is expanding. While drones have long been used for spraying fertilizer or delivering goods in rural and urban China, this unexpected rescue thrust agricultural UAVs into the spotlight in a way never seen before. But how much of this story is innovation, how much is improvisation, and what’s the broader truth behind the viral video?
Improvisation in the Face of Disaster
The hero of the hour, Lai Zhongxin, wasn’t a firefighter, pilot, or trained rescue professional. He was a drone operator transporting the belongings of villagers displaced by the flooding when he spotted the man stranded on a rooftop. In a decision that would draw both praise and scrutiny, Lai attached a long cord to his drone — a type usually used for agricultural purposes like spraying fertilizer or transporting supplies — and flew it toward the man in distress.
According to reports by CCTV, the entire act was largely spontaneous. Lai’s drone was not designed to carry a human. In fact, under most circumstances, Chinese aviation laws prohibit the use of such drones for human transport. But these were not ordinary times.
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Torrential rains had flooded vast regions of Guangxi, prompting mass evacuations and leaving several areas inaccessible to boats or land vehicles. Emergency services were stretched thin, and roads were blocked. In that chaotic environment, Lai acted with urgency, saving a life.
Drone saves man from China's #floods!
— Shanghai Daily (@shanghaidaily) June 30, 2025
In Liuzhou, S #China's Guangxi, a man trapped by rising waters was airlifted to safety by #drone after rescue boats couldn't reach him. #tech pic.twitter.com/RC6CMW9DQI
Observers likened the rescue to someone using a bulldozer to save a person in a fire — a creative use of available tools in an extreme situation. While not standard practice, these rare acts of improvisation are sometimes the only means to act in life-threatening conditions.
Truth Behind Viral Video of Drone Lifting Man During Flood
While the video seemed to border on science fiction, the incident was very much real — but not without caveats. First, the drone used in the rescue is not commercially approved to transport people. Louis Liu, the CEO of DAP Technologies in Beijing, clarified that such agricultural drones typically have no safety protocols for carrying humans and are not equipped with mechanisms to stabilize a person mid-air.
Yet in this case, the drone managed to lift and transport the man without incident — a fact that left many in the industry both impressed and concerned. As Liu put it, “Normally, people aren’t allowed to use an agricultural drone to suspend a person in midair. But in an emergency, if someone is about to drown, that’s something the law would overlook.”
This highlights a critical truth behind the video: it was more about luck and timing than advanced technology. Had the man been heavier, or the drone’s battery run low, the rescue could have ended in tragedy. It wasn’t a planned operation by emergency services or a demonstration of a new drone prototype — it was a one-time act of daring by a quick-thinking citizen.
The viral nature of the clip also led to misinformation online, with some claiming the drone was part of a state-run rescue program. In reality, the incident has spurred discussions within China about formalizing and regulating the use of drones in future rescue missions.
Drones: A New Frontier in Emergency Response
While Lai’s action may have been unconventional, it sheds light on a larger transformation taking place in China — the integration of drones into emergency and humanitarian operations. In the same week as the rescue, drones were being used across southern China to transport relief supplies, deliver food, and spray disinfectant over flooded fields.
In Shenzhen, firefighters held a drill that showcased drones scaling the side of glass skyscrapers while spraying water — a practice that would have been unimaginable a decade ago. And in March this year, China’s Civil Aviation Administration gave two companies the green light to operate drones for commercial passenger services — a sign of how serious the country is about integrating UAVs into everyday life.
The central government is also encouraging growth in what it calls the “low-altitude economy” — referring to commercial and civil drone operations within 1,000 meters above ground. This vision, announced by Premier Li Qiang, includes everything from drone taxis to aerial delivery services. As the technology matures, the potential to use drones for organized rescue missions becomes more plausible.
But with that opportunity comes the need for regulation, safety standards, and training. Unlike a helicopter, drones don’t have onboard pilots who can make adjustments mid-flight. The man rescued in Guangxi had to hold on tightly and trust that the drone operator had control. It’s a level of risk that can’t be taken lightly.
The Future of Drones in Disasters
The dramatic video from Guangxi is more than just internet fodder; it’s a glimpse into a future where drones might become essential tools in disaster response. With climate change causing more frequent floods, fires, and other extreme events, governments and private industries around the world are exploring how UAVs can bridge the gap where traditional rescue equipment can’t reach.
However, there are several challenges that must be addressed. Weight limitations, battery life, weather resilience, and human safety are all critical issues in designing drones capable of carrying people. Manufacturers are now looking into ways to develop specialized rescue drones — ones equipped with harnesses, GPS stabilization, emergency communication tools, and real-time sensors.
It’s also vital to train emergency responders to work alongside drone operators. Just as fire departments use ladders, hoses, and thermal imaging cameras, drones could become part of their toolkit — if the infrastructure supports it.
For now, the image of a man hanging beneath a drone, rescued in the middle of a catastrophic flood, remains both awe-inspiring and cautionary. It shows what’s possible in moments of desperation, but also what’s needed to make such feats reliable, repeatable, and safe.
In China and beyond, this moment may serve as the catalyst for a new era of drone development — not just for commerce or convenience, but for saving lives when every second counts.