Severe Trauma After Supporting at Disaster Site, Diagnosed with Depression
Family Says, "All We Can Do Is Pray for His Safe Return"
It has been over a week since a firefighter from Incheon, who was deployed to the scene of the 2022 Itaewon disaster, went missing, and his whereabouts remain unknown. It has been reported that the firefighter had been receiving treatment for depression.
According to Yonhap News on August 17, the Incheon Fire Department announced the disappearance of firefighter A (34), who is affiliated with a local fire station. On the morning of August 10, A left a note to his family and acquaintances saying "I'm sorry" before all contact was lost.
It is known that after being dispatched to assist at the scene of the Itaewon disaster, A suffered severe trauma and was diagnosed with depression, for which he had been receiving treatment.
In a media interview, he shared, "It was overwhelming to place the deceased in the black zone," and added, "My parents struggled just knowing I was at the scene, so I can't imagine how much more painful it must be for the victims' parents. I kept wishing it wasn't real."
The last confirmed sighting of A was at around 2:30 a.m. on August 10, when he passed through the Nam Incheon Tollgate on the Second Gyeongin Expressway and parked his car on the shoulder. His mobile phone's final signal was detected near an apartment complex in Seochang-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, after which it was turned off. At the time of his disappearance, he was reportedly wearing black clothing and a cap, along with white slippers.
Currently, police and fire authorities are continuing their search in the area, but no significant progress has been made. The family has produced flyers and is distributing them both online and offline, appealing to citizens for information.
A's family stated that he had carried on with his usual routine, exercising and eating as normal right up until his disappearance. His younger sibling said, "Just a few days ago, we ate chicken together and worked out, but then he suddenly vanished. All I can do is fervently pray for his quick return."
Police and fire authorities are tracking A's whereabouts based on the vehicle's recorded movements and mobile phone signal data collected so far, and are urging citizens to come forward with any information.
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