Two-Day Search Ends in Relief After Boy Found Safe at Home Under Sofa

A nine-year-old resident of Sakhalin who was searched for by rescuers and volunteers for two days had been hiding under a sofa at home because he skipped school.

The Investigative Committee had earlier announced the disappearance of Sergey Gaiterov on November 24 in the village of Penzenskoye. Search teams deployed equipment including diving gear and a boat. On November 26, the Investigative Committee confirmed that the boy had been found alive.

Family Explains What Happened

According to his relatives, the child “was simply afraid because he skipped school and thought he would be scolded, so he decided to hide under the sofa.” They added that when many people entered the house during the search, he “stayed hidden for that reason as well.”

“We found him because he fell asleep, started to move, and we heard rustling — then his feet appeared from under the sofa. After joy and hugs, we asked him what happened. He said he would come out of his hiding place every now and then to look out the window. He also said that he even watched cartoons while everyone was searching for him. And on the day we found him, he had decided to come out. He really understood that this was something he must never do again.”

Authorities and Volunteers Mobilized

The extensive search drew in both professional rescuers and volunteers, with specialized equipment deployed in the surrounding area. The boy’s safe discovery brought relief to the entire community, closing a case that had rapidly drawn regional attention.