A 79-year-old Russian pensioner survived a nine-day ordeal after getting lost in dense woodland on Sakhalin Island during what was meant to be a fishing trip. The man was found too weak to walk by volunteers who discovered him on the left bank of the Pilevka River, approximately half a mile from where his abandoned car was located in the remote village of Pilvo.
Rescue Details
Emergency workers carried the exhausted man over difficult terrain to safety. He had spent days attempting to cut his way through thick vegetation to reach help. According to reports, he is believed to be recovering after the harrowing experience.
Sakhalin Island's Terrain
Sakhalin is Russia's largest island, stretching 589 miles in length and 100 miles in width, with a population of around 500,000. Much of the island is mountainous, covered in forests and thick vegetation, making navigation challenging. The island sits off Russia's east coast near Japan and has a turbulent history, having been passed between the two countries during the last century.
Similar Incidents
This incident follows a similar case in July last year, when backpacker Carolina Wilga spent 11 nights lost in the Western Australian Outback before being rescued.
