Chinese Paragliders Terrifying Ordeal: Sucked 5 Miles Into Sky By Vortex, Stranded In -40°C Freeze...
Trapped in extreme conditions, Liu said he was exposed to temperatures as low as -40°F and experienced severe oxygen deprivation. "I had trouble breathing, my hands were freezing, and I just kept communicating over the radio the entire time," he told local media. Without an oxygen mask, Liu said he clung to his harness, enduring intense frostbite until he managed a safe landing.
On May 24th, Chinese paragliding enthusiast Peng Yujiang took off from a launch point at approximately 3,000 meters in the Qilian Mountains of Gansu Province. He was then sucked into a cumulonimbus cloud, which carried him to an altitude of 8,589 meters.
At this height, the… pic.twitter.com/HenJYktYDK — China in Pictures (@tongbingxue) May 27, 2025
Footage of the incident, now circulating widely on social media, shows Liu's face and clothing coated in ice.
Experts said survival at such altitudes is rare. "Even at 6,500 feet, cold-weather gear is essential. At over 26,000 feet, it's life-threatening," said Ou, an experienced paraglider, speaking to the Global Times.
Authorities have launched a probe into the incident, noting that Liu did not have air traffic control clearance for his flight — a violation of China's national aviation sports regulations. Under current rules, paragliding is prohibited above 16,405 feet, even with a valid license.
Officials are now reviewing whether Liu's unsanctioned flight breached safety protocols and endangered restricted airspace.
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