Russian man rescued alive after surviving 67 days adrift in sea

A Russian man, missing for over two months after a trip in the Sea of Okhotsk in Russia's far east, has been found alive.

According to Russian media, 46-year-old Mikhail Pechugan was rescued by a fishing boat crew, having drifted nearly 1,000 kilometres from his starting point.

Pechugan was discovered adrift in a rubber boat, which also contained the bodies of his brother and 15-year-old nephew, who had perished on the boat.

Pechugan’s wife expressed her disbelief at his survival, saying that his body weight may have contributed to his ability to endure the ordeal. 

When he set off on the journey, Pechugan weighed around 100kg, but after 67 days at sea, his weight had been reduced by half.

“We don’t know much yet, only that he’s alive…It feels like a miracle,” she told reporters.

She explained that her husband and his brother had packed food supplies for about two weeks, intending to enjoy their sea adventure. 

She also mentioned that their daughter had initially planned to join them but decided against it at the last moment.

Russian news outlets reported that Pechugan was transferred to a hospital where he is recovering. Doctors described his condition as “somewhat stable.”

After the group was reported missing, rescue helicopters scoured the sea, but the search yielded no results. 

It wasn’t until a fishing boat passed near the Kamchatka Peninsula on Monday that Pechugan was spotted shouting “I have no strength left.”

Experts believe survival in such circumstances is possible by catching fish and preserving remaining supplies. 

Russian authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the small boat's sudden disappearance.