Drone Rescue Saves Man from Flood-Swollen River in Vietnam

A dramatic rescue unfolded in central Vietnam when a man stranded in a river by deadly flooding was saved by a drone — an unconventional but lifesaving response as floodwaters surged.

The incident occurred in Serepok River in Dak Lak Province, where a 49-year-old farm worker became trapped on a sandbar as the floodwaters rose rapidly. With traditional rescue methods too dangerous given the strong currents, local authorities called in a large agricultural drone.

Footage of the rescue shows the drone hovering just above the river’s turbulent surface, lowering a buoy attached to straps. The man held on tightly as the drone fought to resist the pull of the rushing water, dipping precariously close to the surface at one point. Despite the violent currents and gusting winds, the pilot managed to lift him above the water and carry him safely across the river — a tense, harrowing operation that ended in success. 

The drone rescue in Dak Lak was part of a string of similar efforts this week. Another man was plucked from floodwaters after his boat capsized, though tragically his companion remains missing. Meanwhile, central Vietnam has been battered by torrential rain and flooding, leaving over 50,000 homes submerged, cutting power to half a million households and businesses, destroying thousands of hectares of crops, and causing at least 55 deaths. 

Key Takeaways

A farm drone was repurposed in an emergency to rescue a stranded man from the flooded Serepok River — showing how UAVs can be life-saving in extreme flood scenarios.

The rescue demonstrates that in rapidly rising floodwaters, drones can offer a safer, quicker alternative to traditional boat or human-based responses.

The flooding in central Vietnam has caused widespread devastation — tens of thousands of homes submerged, major power outages, and dozens of confirmed fatalities.

Adapted From 

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/37409406/drone-saves-man-drowning-river-flooding/