Police, villagers join overnight rescue for missing 76-year-old in Gansu

A 76-year-old woman who went missing in Zhenyuan county of Qingyang city, Gansu province, was found safe the next day after an 11-hour overnight search involving police, villagers, drones, and a tracking dog, according to the city's public security bureau.

She was reported missing late on Nov 4 after failing to return home. As temperatures dropped in the mountainous area, more than 30 officers and locals joined the search, while alerts were shared across village WeChat groups.

Teams carried out grid searches around the woman's home, checking fields and abandoned houses. As conditions worsened, the station requested specialist support. A police dog brought in from Xifeng district helped narrow the search area. Police reviewed nearby surveillance footage and deployed drones, according to the bureau.

After nearly 11 hours, searchers located the woman at the bottom of a ravine about seven kilometers from her home. She was exhausted but in stable condition.

Unable to walk, she was carried up the steep slope by officers and relatives who took turns, before being given warm water and food and escorted home.

Her family later presented silk banners to the police dog unit and the Mengba Police Station to express thanks.