Chinese boy, 9, missing after being swept away by wave as Typhoon Dolphin approached coast

On Friday afternoon, a nine-year-old boy went missing after being swept away by a powerful wave in Shitang, a coastal town in eastern China's Zhejiang province. The incident occurred as Typhoon Dolphin approached the region and a typhoon warning was already in effect. Local authorities warned that high tides, strong currents, and dangerous whirlpools had complicated search efforts.

Footage showed a group of two adults and two children sprinting across a stone and cement causeway leading to a rocky island when the wave hit. Only three family members managed to stay afloat after the wave receded, leaving the boy separated from them. A furious bystander confronted the surviving family members, accusing them of disregarding safety warnings about entering the restricted coastal zone.

The causeway had been cordoned off and temporary fences erected, but the family ignored the signs and entered the area through a narrow passage. Ten other individuals were also found trapped on the offshore island and were rescued safely. The search and rescue operation continued on Sunday, with rescuers limited to high ground and using telescopic observation due to turbulent sea conditions.

Chinese social media was filled with outrage, with many criticizing the boy's guardians for not following safety guidelines and not keeping a tight hold on him while crossing the causeway.