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A lighting drone illuminates the earthquake rescue site in Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 29. [Photo provided to Tide News]

Zhejiang Gbi Intelligent Equipment Inc is one of the top 10 drone brands in China, headquartered in Keqiao district, Shaoxing, Zhejiang province.

After a powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, the city of Mandalay was plunged into darkness. Amid collapsed buildings and power outages, a drone rose into the night sky — its lights cutting through the blackness like a beacon of hope.

On March 29, a lighting drone developed by Gbi Intelligent Equipment assisted night rescue operations. Flying at 30 meters, and equipped with high-powered lights, the drone can illuminate up to 10,000 square meters, making rescue zones as bright as daylight.

Operating independently of local power infrastructure, the drone drew electricity from generators brought in by the rescue team. "It's like raising a small sun over the disaster site," said Shen Wenxing, the drone pilot, who worked nearly non-stop for three days with just two and a half hours of sleep each night.

The company's latest drone model is lighter, more portable, and built for extreme conditions. It weighs about 13 kg, with the airborne portion around 1 kg. It can be deployed in diverse weather and terrain, auto-switch to backup power during outages, and be safely operated even by non-specialists.

"We're proud that our equipment is helping save lives," said Hu Kefei, founder of the company.