A tense search operation in the Tashkent Region, Uzbekistan, ended with relief after a 4-year-old boy who went missing in the mountains was found alive.

The rescue mission lasted more than six hours. The incident occurred when a family of six went to rest in the mountainous area of the Ahangaran District, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

During an excursion, the family climbed higher to see patches of snow still remaining on the peaks. At some point, the adults descended and continued their rest, not realizing the child was no longer with them. The boy’s disappearance was noticed about 40 minutes later, prompting an urgent call to emergency services.

Rescue teams, including specialists from the regional emergency department and the “Kamchik” search-and-rescue unit, launched a large-scale operation.

The child was finally found around three kilometers from where he went missing. Rescuers discovered him standing knee-deep in snow.

Miraculously, the boy was unharmed. He was returned to his family and is now at home, with his condition reported as good.