A tourist from China, Liu Jiatu, survived a deadly flood in Kenya by spending 12 hours up a tree, escaping the raging waters with only a T-shirt and underwear. Liu’s incredible survival story has captivated social media in China.
Liu, 28, who resides in Thailand, was caught in the flood at the renowned Masai Mara tourist destination on May 1. The region had been experiencing heavier-than-usual rainfall due to the combined effects of El Niño and the long rainy season from March to May 2024.

Liu was staying at the luxury Basecamp Masai Mara tented hotel, which had once hosted former US President Barack Obama in 2006. She was awakened by bed-shaking thunder at 1:15 am and found herself knee-deep in water. The tent’s main entrance was locked, and in the ensuing chaos, Liu decided to break out of the tent using brute force.“Carrying two phones in my mouth, I tried to tear a hole in the tent fabric. My survival instinct gave me unprecedented strength and I succeeded,” Liu said. Once outside, she climbed a tree and saw her tent being ripped apart by the torrent. Her driver was unable to help, and she spent a cold night up the tree with a local who did not speak English.

At 7 am, a helicopter team arrived, but the dense trees made a rescue impossible. By noon, the local youth she was with used ropes to move her to safety, and by 12:30 pm, Liu finally set foot on dry land.

Liu’s will to survive has impressed many on social media. “Feels like you could write a book, your survival skills are strong!” one commenter said. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, your good fortune lies ahead!” added another.

This isn’t Liu’s first encounter with extreme danger. In July 2019, she suffered a sudden subarachnoid hemorrhage while at the gym and survived despite being in critical condition. A medical examination after the flood showed she only suffered minor infections in her wounds. “I have cheated death twice in five years, I am now terrifyingly strong!” Liu wrote on Weibo.