Chinese volunteer Dang Xinrui dies after heroic flood relief trek
A 29-year-old railway operator gave up his holiday to save others, then collapsed.
Dang Xinrui, a 29-year-old integrated control operator at a railway station in Sichuan province, tragically died of heart failure after volunteering in flood relief efforts in Guangxi. While on holiday in Yunnan on July 9, he encountered an urgent call for volunteers to aid areas devastated by typhoon-induced severe flooding. The floods had killed at least 39 people, with landslides and road collapses isolating towns like Zhenlong in Hengzhou, cutting off power, water, communications, and transportation.
On July 14, before dawn, Dang and a team of volunteers began a six-hour trek into the remote town, each carrying about 15kg of medical supplies, vegetables, and other essentials. After delivering the supplies and a brief rest, they started the return journey. During the trek back, Dang felt dizzy but pushed on before eventually collapsing. His final message to his father expressed hope to return to work soon. The incident highlights the immense physical toll of disaster relief and the selflessness of ordinary citizens stepping up in crises.
- Dang Xinrui, 29, was a railway station operator who gave up his holiday to join flood relief in Guangxi.
- He carried 15kg of medical supplies and food on a grueling six-hour trek to the isolated town of Zhenlong.
- After delivering aid, he collapsed from exhaustion on the return journey; his last message expressed eagerness to return to work.
Why It Matters
A stark reminder of the human cost of natural disasters and the selfless heroism of everyday volunteers.