Salvadorans honored for heroic river rescue in China

Two Salvadoran nationals were recognized for rescuing a Chinese couple from drowning in a river in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province.

Raul Cortez and Danilo Vega became the first foreign recipients of the "Justice and Courage" certificate on Oct 30. The honor was presented by the local public security bureau and a Good Samaritan fund in recognition of their selfless act.

The incident occurred on the night of Oct 20, near downtown Wuxi, when Cortez and Vega witnessed a Chinese couple fall into the river. Without hesitation, they dived into the water, braving the cold temperatures and rain to save the couple.

Reflecting on the moment, Cortez shared, "When we saw what was happening, we didn't hesitate for even a second. There was no plan, just a natural instinct to help."

Vega credited passers-by for kindness, including pulling them out and offering hot water and a place to rest afterwards. "It wasn't just about saving lives; it was about coming together and supporting each other," he said.

Cortez and Vega work for government departments of El Salvador and were in Wuxi attending a training course on aquaculture and fisheries.

Their courageous act made headlines in both China and El Salvador, culminating in a meeting with Zhang Yanhui, China's ambassador in El Salvador, on Nov 6.

Zhang praised the heroic rescue, calling it a powerful symbol of the enduring friendship between China and El Salvador, according to a statement released by the Chinese Embassy.

Video provided to chinadaily.com.cn