A Russian man has been rescued after drifting for 67 days in the Okhotsk Sea during extreme cold temperatures. According to a report by BBC News on October 15, the man, identified as Mikhail Pichugin, was stranded when the engine of his small inflatable boat failed, preventing him from reaching his destination.
A video released by Russian authorities captured the moment of Pichugin’s rescue, showing him wearing an orange life jacket and standing on his small boat, which had a red flag tied to a pole.
Pichugin, 49, had set off on August 9 from the Khabarovsk region toward Sakhalin Island, accompanied by his brother and 15-year-old nephew. While they successfully reached Sakhalin, disaster struck on their return journey when the boat’s engine broke down, leaving them adrift in the sea.
During their time at sea, Pichugin’s brother and nephew tragically died due to lack of food and water. After 67 days, as the boat drifted near the Kamchatka Peninsula, it was spotted by a fisherman, leading to Pichugin’s rescue.
Family members reported that there was only enough food on board for two weeks, and just 18 liters of water were available. Rescuers noted that Pichugin was suffering from severe dehydration and hypothermia due to the harsh conditions.
Following his rescue, Pichugin was taken to a hospital in Magadan, a city in Russia’s far eastern region. While he is in serious condition with multiple injuries, rescuers confirmed that he is currently stable.