Paraglider Survives Near-Death Experience After Being Sucked 9,000 Meters into the Sky

Chinese paraglider Liu Ge's near-death experience in the Qilian Mountains has captivated the world. On May 24th, 2025, Liu Ge was paragliding at an altitude of approximately 3,000 meters when he lost control and was pulled into a powerful cloud system. This unexpected event propelled him to an astonishing 8,598 meters, exposing him to freezing temperatures and extreme hypoxia. Remarkably, despite suffering frostbite and oxygen deprivation, Liu Ge remained conscious and managed to steer his glider back to the ground. "It was terrifying," Liu Ge recounted in a brief interview. "I thought I was going to die." Experts say surviving at such an extreme altitude without oxygen is incredibly rare. The incident has prompted an investigation by Chinese authorities into whether Liu Ge violated airspace regulations by failing to obtain prior approval. This near-death experience serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in extreme sports and the importance of adhering to safety regulations.