A 79-year-old pensioner survived a nine-day ordeal in the dense wilderness of Russia's Sakhalin Island after setting out on a fishing trip, according to reports. He was found exhausted and unable to walk, requiring emergency workers to carry him to safety.
Rescue details
The man had driven to the remote village of Pilvo on Sakhalin Island and entered thick woodland. When his abandoned car was discovered, volunteers launched a search. He was eventually located on the left bank of the Pilevka River, about half a mile from the village. He had spent days trying to cut through the vegetation to find his way out.
Condition and recovery
Emergency workers carried the man over difficult terrain to safety. He was alive but completely exhausted. According to reports, he is believed to be recovering after the harrowing experience.
Sakhalin Island context
Sakhalin is Russia's largest island, located off the east coast near Japan. It stretches 589 miles long and 100 miles wide, with a population of around 500,000. Much of the island is mountainous, covered in forests and thick vegetation. The island has a turbulent history, having been passed between Russia and Japan during the last century.
Similar incidents
In July 2025, backpacker Carolina Wilga spent 11 nights lost in the Western Australian Outback before being rescued.
