Body Found in Sancheong Heavy Rain Believed to Be Monk in His 80s... One Person Still Missing

The body found on the morning of July 23 in Sinan-myeon, Sancheong County, Gyeongnam Province, was confirmed to be that of a monk in his 80s from the Oesong-ri hermitage in Sinan-myeon, who went missing during the period of heavy rain.

According to Gyeongnam Province, the Sancheong County Disaster Site Integrated Support Headquarters, and other authorities, at around 11:25 a.m. that day, a decomposed body was discovered buried underground near the Gyeho River Rest Area in Sinan-myeon, Sancheong County.

Firefighters and search dogs are looking for missing persons at the site of heavy rain damage in Sancheong County, Gyeongnam Province. Photo by Gyeongnam Province

This discovery came four days after a report was filed at around 12:45 a.m. on July 20 that the monk from the hermitage had gone missing.

The body was found approximately 500 meters from the site of the incident, and identification confirmed that it was the monk from the hermitage.

With the additional discovery of one missing person found deceased, the death toll from the heavy rain in Sancheong County has risen to 13.

One person remains missing: a man in his 80s who was swept away by rapid currents in Yulhyeon-ri, Sindeung-myeon, on July 19.

Gyeongnam Province and fire authorities are continuing the search for the remaining missing person, utilizing heavy equipment, drones, and search dogs.