A six-year-old boy who had been missing for five days in Vietnam has been found alive deep within a forest. Dang Tien Lam, from northwestern Yen Bai province, wandered into the hills on August 17 while playing with his nine siblings by a stream. Local farmers discovered Lam on Wednesday, sitting in cassava bushes about 6km (3.7 miles) from where he disappeared, after hearing his cries while clearing a nearby cinnamon field.

Too weak to stand, Lam asked the farmers to carry him, saying, “I’m so tired, I can’t stand up.” Reports indicate that Lam survived by eating leaves, wild fruits, and drinking stream water. Images online show locals offering him food and care after he was rescued, still wearing his soiled red T-shirt and shorts.

According to one of the farmers, 52-year-old Ly Van Nang, Lam became disoriented and lost his way while trying to return home. The police described his survival as a “miracle” and congratulated him on his safe return to his family.

The news has brought widespread relief on social media, with many expressing gratitude to the search team, which included over 150 people, among them police officers, soldiers, and local volunteers.