Romanian rescue finds 5‑year‑old boy lost three days in bear‑filled forest

Five‑year‑old Alex disappeared in the Transylvanian mountains near the village of Sebeșu de Jos while his father was fixing a fence. A large search operation involving helicopters, drones, police, military, volunteer rescuers and more than 450 participants searched the cold, snowy terrain for three days. Pilot Mihai Soare described spotting the child on a clearing, noting that "he waved" and stayed put until the team arrived.

Alex was found alive but severely chilled, dehydrated, with tick bites and later diagnosed with pneumonia. He was evacuated by helicopter to a hospital, where his condition stabilized. His parents were reunited with him, expressing gratitude for the rescuers. The dramatic rescue captured nationwide attention in Romania.