Private First Class of the Marine Corps Searching Yecheon Swept Away by Rapid Current, Missing

Marine Corps Searching for Missing Persons with Fire Authorities

A Marine soldier searching for a missing person due to heavy rain in Yecheon-gun, Gyeongbuk, was swept away by a rapid current and went missing.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Marines on the 19th, around 9:10 a.m. that day, Private A, belonging to the 1st Division Artillery Battalion of the Marines, was swept away by a rapid current while conducting a search operation near Bomun Bridge on Naeseongcheon River in Hwangji-ri, Homyeong-myeon, Yecheon-gun, Gyeongbuk.

Among the Marines, three were caught as the ground suddenly collapsed and fell into the river; two managed to get out on their own, but Private A went missing. Private A reportedly shouted "Help me, help me" while being swept away before disappearing.

The Marines are currently searching the site and surrounding areas using small rubber boats and are cooperating with the Air Force and fire authorities to rescue the missing soldier.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Defense announced that 11,000 troops and over 670 pieces of equipment will be deployed to 34 cities and counties affected by flooding, including Yecheon, Gyeongbuk, to support the search for missing persons and damage recovery. Since the 15th, the military has deployed more than 32,000 troops and over 1,210 pieces of equipment to respond to the flood damage.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, as of 6 a.m. that day, the death toll from the heavy rain was 44, with 6 missing, and 16,490 people had been temporarily evacuated. Additionally, 31,000 hectares of farmland, more than half the size of Seoul, suffered damage such as flooding.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.