This group of brave firefighters climbed up steep cliffs to rescue 14 sheep that had escaped their shepherd and became trapped in the mountains.

The shepherd, who was not identified, sought local authorities' help after his sheep got lost while out grazing at the foot of the nearby mountains in Jimusar County, in Xinjiang Region, north-western China, on November 27.

The next day, the Xiyu Road Fire Rescue Station set out for a rescue operation and dispatched two vehicles and 10 personnel to the steep mountainside.

Around noon on the same day, led by local officials familiar with the route, the fire rescue personnel drove to the foot of the mountain.

At this point, there was approximately four miles of mountainous road remaining to reach the rescue point.

Other herders brought four horses to help the rescue personnel continue along the harsh terrain. The operation unfolded at an altitude of 11,400 feet, with rugged mountain roads and deep snow, making it a highly challenging task.

Using aerial reconnaissance with a drone, the fire rescue personnel discovered that the flock of sheep was trapped on a gentle slope at a height of 1,300 feet.

Due to the steep terrain, the sheep were reluctant to descend.

Five firefighters then climbed towards the mountaintop carrying ropes and other rescue equipment. After three hours of climbing, they reached the location where the sheep were trapped and securely anchored themselves to sturdy rocks.

Using rope descent in both areas, they drove the sheep away. After eight hours of continuous efforts by rescue personnel and local herders, all 14 sheep were successfully rescued, saving the herdsman from a loss of over CNY 20,000 (GBP 2,200).

On the evening of November 29, the herdsman who had recovered the sheep expressed immense gratitude to the firefighters. He said to the rescuers: 'Thank you for helping me rescue the sheep in such a dangerous situation. Otherwise my losses would have been great!'

He also presented them with a banner, with the words: 'Demonstrating skills in times of danger, People's Firefighting for the People' and 'Sincerely solving worries for the people, True assistance to the people'.