Baby ‘Xiaoxiao’ survived a delicate rescue operation. Pic: CEN Source: Supplied

Rescuers uncovered the sewer in China’s Shaanxi Province to find the baby boy lying in a small pool of water.

The baby was found at the bottom a drain after a passer-by heard his cries. Picture: CEN Source: Supplied

The newborn, whose umbilical cord was still attached, miraculously survived the delicate rescue operation that was nothing short of a miracle.

“It was really a race against time because somebody could have flushed something down the sewer again at any stage, or the baby might have turned over and ended up face first in the filthy water and drowned” fire department leader Li Zhi said.

“But we didn’t want to smash the pipe because we thought that might also hurt or even kill the baby. So we had to use a mixture of tools in order to ease him towards the opening and then pull him out.”

The boy, nicknamed Xiaoxiao by his rescuers was taken to hospital and is said to be “perfectly healthy”.

The baby, nicknamed Xiaoxiao shown being looked after by members of the fire department after he was miraculously rescued. Picture: CEN Source: Supplied

Police said they had started a search for the mother of the child and added that it was not the first time that an unwanted child had been abandoned in such a way.

They have appealed for help in tracking down the mother who may need medical help but have also warned that she will face legal charges if she can be found.

The baby was taken to hospital where after being cleaned and fed was announced to be perfectly healthy.

Hospital staff say they do not expect him to suffer any complications as a result of his introduction to life.

He has been taken to hospital and is said to be “perfectly healthy”. Pic: CEN Source: Supplied

Attending physician Li Zhiping said: “The child survived the ordeal surprisingly unscathed. I can’t think of any similar case where a child survived being effectively flushed down the toilet.”

Baby Xiaoxiao is being taken care of by members of the fire department who have volunteered to be his temporary parents while police investigate how he ended up the sewer.