Missing woman found alive 54 hours later at bottom of abandoned well full of snakes

The woman was trapped down the well side for 54 hours (Image: Southern Times/NetEaseGuangzhouEN)

A woman who survived more than two days in a deep, abandoned well filled with water, snakes, and insects has been miraculously rescued. The woman, identified by her surname Qin, accidentally fell into the well while walking in the woods on September 13.

She clung desperately to the well side for 54 hours, battling exhaustion, relentless mosquitoes, and even bites from water snakes. The 54-year-old from southeastern China was out for a leisurely stroll in the woods of Quanzhou, Fujian province, before unexpectedly tumbling into the dark well. Her family quickly noticed her disappearance, reporting her missing the following day, prompting emergency responders from the Jinjiang Ruitong Blue Sky Rescue Centre to launch a desperate search.

Qin was found clinging to a stone (Image: Southern Times/NetEaseGuangzhouEN)

A team of 10 rescuers, equipped with a thermal imaging drone, began a major search operation. Qin was found clinging to a stone embedded in the wall of the well, partially submerged in water.

Despite exhaustion, injuries, and constant snake and mosquito bites, she amazingly managed to stay afloat for 54 hours. Rescuers cleared the surrounding brush before pulling her to safety.

She was first taken to Jinjiang City Hospital and later transferred to Quanzhou First Hospital. Doctors reported she suffered two broken ribs and a minor collapsed lung, but her condition is stable.

Speaking to reporters, Qin said she "thought of giving up", adding that she cried "many times".

She said: “It was pitch dark. I cried many times. There were insects everywhere and even water snakes. One bit my arm, but thankfully it wasn’t venomous.

“There were countless times I wanted to give up. But then I thought about my 70-year-old mother, my 80-year-old father, and my daughter, who just started college. If I left them behind, what would they do?”

Her survival has been hailed as remarkable, with rescuers crediting her swimming ability and determination for keeping her alive.