A young boy has been found alive after spending a week in a jungle during Hurricane Milton and surviving on puddle water.
Joel del Carmen Acosta Orama disappeared from his home 10 days ago.
The nine-year-old was last seen playing with his two dogs at his family’s ranch in Palizada in southern Mexico.
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He then vanished into the surrounding jungle and became lost.
The area is inhabited by numerous dangerous animals such as venomous snakes and crocodiles.
The local authorities launched a search operation and picked up the tracks of the young boy and his dogs.
But while following the trail, Hurricane Milton hit the area and his footprints were washed away.
All hope seemed lost until one of his dogs unexpectedly returned to the ranch on 9 October.
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The search team was then able to follow the animal’s tracks to the boy’s Location.
After six days of searching, they found little Joel on 11 October.
Police spokesperson Rafael Miranda Ortiz said it was a “miracle” they tracked him down.
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He stated: “Joel left home in the middle of a hurricane, it’s very surprising he survived.
“Now he will be able to face any challenge that comes his way.”
He added that the search team walked a distance of around 31 miles (50km) while trying to find Joel, as reported by What’s The Jam.
The poor lad was found with signs of severe dehydration and malnutrition.
Footage shows the young boy standing barefoot in the overgrowth while wearing a T-shirt and shorts.
Joel, known in his village as ‘Choco’, was taken to a nearby health centre for medical attention.
When asked how he managed to survive in the jungle, he said he followed the stars at night and drank water from puddles and streams.
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