In brief
A Chinese paraglider, Peng Yujiang, survived a shocking incident when he was unexpectedly lifted to an altitude of 8,500 meters (27,800 feet) due to a rare phenomenon known as "cloud suck." While testing new equipment over the Qilian mountains at 3,000 meters, strong winds propelled Peng dramatically higher into the clouds. The event, which was caught on camera mounted on his glider, has gone viral on Douyin, featuring images of Peng surrounded by ice crystals and struggling for control.
In a vivid recount of his ordeal, the 55-year-old described the terrifying experience of being enveloped in white mist, disoriented and unable to tell direction. He noted that the lack of oxygen and freezing temperatures made survival uncertain. Despite extensively preparing for paragliding over his four and a half years of experience, this incident was unplanned as he was merely testing the fit of his parachute on the ground, according to reports. In the aftermath, Chinese authorities have suspended him for six months due to the unauthorized flight, while an investigation into the incident is underway.
