Missing boys found after embarking on ‘Man vs Wild’ camping trip in Southwest China mountains

Four boys who went missing after skipping school to test their wilderness survival skills with an overnight trip in the mountains of Southwest China have been found.

Police in Luzhou, Sichuan Province found the quartet safe on a remote village road late on November 28, ending a ninehour search.

Three search parties of officers from Bailu police station scoured the surrounding mountains into the night before finding the shivering students.

The three sixth graders and one fifth grader were first reported missing by their teacher after they managed to sneak out of school by scaling over a wall.

The boys had prepared for their expedition with backpacks filled with basic camping equipment.

Photos show they had packed a rain gear, rice, a lighter, fishing line, cutting tools and a cooking pot.

However, what they did not prepare for was the cold.

“We planned to make fire and live one night in the nearby mountains. But we became scared because of the cold weather and dark night,” one of the boys said.

They later told police they had stayed in the woods for fear of getting in trouble.

“We wanted to return home. But we were afraid to be punished by our parents. So we just stayed here until policemen came to find us,” another boy said.

Police said they were lucky to find them so quickly.

“Considering the cold weather and wild animals in the mountains at night, the boys might have run into danger if they weren’t found in time,” a policeman said.

The boys were returned safely to their parents, who later disciplined them, media reported.

CCTV.com