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Bian Gangfen, a miracle from the ruins

China SCIOUpdated: May 9, 2018

A woman trapped in rubble for as many as 124 hours after the quake occurred was rescued in Shifang county, Sichuan province, at around 6 p.m. on May 17, 2008, with efforts by firefighters from Henan province for nearly two days. Bian Gangfen attracted wide attention with her strong resilience. Since then, she sends out a public message on WeChat on May 12 every year to commemorate the deceased in the quake and thank those who helped her out. She takes May 17 as another birthday, a day of her rebirth. She also believes that happiness consists in contentment.


The 31-year-old factory worker Bian Gangfen, after being trapped for as many as 124 hours since the quake occurred, is rescued from the ruins in Shifang county, Sichuan province, at around 6 p.m. on May 17, 2008. She says "Thanks" to people around her. [Photo/VCG]

Bian Gangfen, who works as a receptionist now at a hotel in Deyang city, Sichuan province, smiles with tears in her eyes as she recalls the memories from 10 years ago on April 10, 2018. [Photo /VCG]

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