Fugitive found in a cave after 17 years on the run
A Chinese fugitive who had been on the run for 17 years has been found living in a mountain cave.
Song Jiang escaped from prison camp in 2002 while serving time for trafficking women and children.
Yongshan police tracked down the 63-year-old’s whereabouts to the mountains behind his hometown in Yunnan province after receiving a tip-off.
The police’s drones spotted a piece of blue steel on a cliff in the forest, along with household garbage.
Police said Song had been living in a cave measuring less than 21 square feet (1.95 square metres) in size.
Pictures from inside the cave released by police showed blackened pots and layers of makeshift bedding.
According to state media, he survived by collecting river water in a plastic bottle and making fires with tree branches.
Investigators said Song had trouble communicating and had not taken a bath or done laundry in “a long time” due to his seclusion.
Song has now been sent back to jail.
Scroll through the gallery to see the pictures from the cave.
Photo credit: Yongshan Police