MANDALAY, Myanmar, April 5 (Xinhua) -- On the banks of the Irrawaddy River, the ancient city of Mandalay in Myanmar is slowly waking up from the disaster.

Ko San Lwin, 52, is in a particularly good mood as his doctor on Saturday told him that he has recovered well and can be discharged from the hospital. After three days of rehabilitation treatment, he can finally share his nightmare of nearly 125 hours under earthquake debris with a little ease.

At about 17:40 local time on Wednesday, a Chinese rescue team successfully rescued Ko San Lwin, who had been trapped for more than five days under the relics of the Golden Country Hotel in Mandalay.

"When the earthquake occurred, my companion and I were chatting in the room. Suddenly, the whole building shook violently, and I quickly rolled to the side of the bed," he recalled, adding he was lucky as the fallen ceiling hit the bed and formed a narrow survival space for him and he only had a slight injury to his hand.

Called his companion right after the strong tremors, Ko San Lwin learned that his waist was severely injured. Unable to touch each other, the two could only communicate from time to time to confirm each other's situation while saving energy and waiting quietly for rescue.

It was completely dark around them. Ko San Lwin carefully explored his surroundings. Through touch, he found a can and opened it. It was chocolate drink powder brought by his companion, which gave him the confidence to survive.

There is no water. He had no choice but to drink his own urine using the lid of the can as a cup. While he persisted, he knocked around with the stick he found for help. In the small gap between debris, there was no way to tell day or night, and only the sound of passing motorcycles outside could be vaguely heard.

Gradually, his companion fell into silence, and there was no response to his knocking. Despair seemed to push out the oxygen around Ko San Lwin... Without knowing how long it had been, he stopped eating and planned to give up...

"Hey!" Bang, bang, bang... "Is there anyone? We are the rescue team!"

"Someone found me! I thought of my family and friends, and I knew I could see them again!" Ko San Lwin was excited. He finally heard the long-awaited voice and made every effort to respond to the rescuers, waiting for the moment to see the light again.

At about 14:00 on Wednesday, the outside of the hotel was cordoned off, and ambulances and generators were put into operation. The Chinese rescuers began to work. Hearing the sound of the electric saw, Ko San Lwin knew he was about to be rescued.

"The sound became clearer and clearer, and finally the ceiling broke, and I saw the people who saved me." Ko San Lwin's eyes could not bear the strong light, and he closed his eyes to communicate with the rescuers and doctors. "An interpreter was communicating with me, so I knew from the beginning that it was the Chinese rescuers who saved me."

"I really don't know how to express my gratitude to the Chinese rescuers! Without them, I would not be able to see all this again. I am finally reunited with my family, and I am so happy!" he said.

After discharge from the hospital, Ko San Lwin and his wife planned to stay in Mandalay for one night, and then go home in the countryside to reunite with their sons.

Ko San Lwin's wife told Xinhua that they plan to treat the villagers to a meal and tell them about their experiences. Enditem

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