In flood-ravaged Hualien, a heroic aunt and uncle gave their lives keeping a six-year-old girl aloft as their home filled with water.

This aerial footage shows a deluge of mud exceeding the first floor, nearly submerging this entire house in Guangfu Township. A special search and rescue squad from the Pingtung Fire Department determined they could breach the structure through a point in the roof. As soon as they cut the roof open, six-year-old Hsiao-i (小沂) could be heard shouting from inside. Miraculously, she had survived the night.

Squad captain Chen Shih-hung (陳世鴻) said that at one point on Tuesday night, they nearly abandoned the evacuation effort due to the severity of the mudslide. But hearing the family’s repeated pleas for help, they decided they had to try again the following morning. In the end, they were able to rescue Hsiao-i. 

Their feet sinking into thick mud with every step, squad members stumbled and fell several times while recovering the body of Hsiao-i’s aunt. Squad members believe that as the mudslide advanced, she and Hsiao-i’s uncle formed a human pyramid to prop the six-year-old up on their shoulders. The squad is still working to recover the body of her uncle. 

Hsiao-i’s family expressed their deepest gratitude, acknowledging the unwavering effort of everyone who worked tirelessly to save her life.