Chinese Mother and Daughter Ignore Warning Signs, Nearly Drown in Freezing River at -20°C Before Guide Saves Them

On February 16, a terrifying incident occurred on the Kanas River in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, when a mother and daughter fell into a river with temperatures below -20°C after crossing safety barriers to take photos near the riverbank. The event happened on February 10, with online video showing a girl in a pink winter coat being swept away by strong currents in the middle of the river. The panicked mother jumped in to save her daughter, but both struggled against the violent currents and extreme cold. A 38-year-old tour guide, acting as a hero in the icy waters, heard their cries and immediately rushed to help. Despite the freezing temperature, he removed his jacket to move more freely and successfully pulled the girl from the water. Other tourists then helped pull the mother to safety from among the ice chunks. The guide later said he wasn't thinking about the cold, only about saving the two lives. Although the area had clear warning signs and barriers, many tourists continue to cross them to find better photo opportunities. Local police noted the mother and daughter were private travelers who had crossed safety barriers and ignored warning signs. After rescue, both were stable and not seriously injured, with only their car keys lost. Tourism authorities and local officials have warned tourists not to cross barriers or enter undeveloped areas, especially in natural environments with extreme winter conditions like Xinjiang.