(LEAD) Rescuers find body of Marine missing during search operation for heavy rain victims

▲ Rescue workers carry the body of a Marine to an ambulance in Yecheon on July 19, 2023. He went missing earlier in the day after being swept away by a torrent while participating in search and rescue operations in the area. (Yonhap)

▲ Marines search for missing people in Yecheon County, southeastern South Korea, on July 18, 2023, after the area was hit by heavy monsoon rains and subsequent floods and landslides. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) Marine-missing

(LEAD) Rescuers find body of Marine missing during search operation for heavy rain victims

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES throughout; ADDS photo)

YECHEON, South Korea, July 20 (Yonhap) -- Rescue workers on Wednesday found the body of a Marine who went missing after being swept away by a torrent in a southeastern county while participating in search and rescue (SAR) operations after heavy monsoon rains and landslides in the area.

The Marine lance corporal, serving with the 1st Marine Infantry Division, disappeared into the Naeseong stream rapids in Yecheon County, North Gyeongsang Province, 161 kilometers southeast of Seoul, at about 9:10 a.m. during SAR operations, Marine Corps officials said.

His body was discovered downstream at around 11:08 p.m.

"A special rescue team and a drone team found his body during a nighttime search, and it is currently being retrieved," an official from the local fire department said.

"Whether he is dead or alive needs to be determined by the hospital," he added.

The Marine lance corporal, who was assigned to SAR operations on Tuesday, suddenly fell into the stream while moving in formation with other fellow marines in search of missing people, Marine Corps officials said, noting two other Marines also fell into the torrent and fortunately swam to safety.

Marines from the Sea Dragon Division and other SAR workers recovered several bodies of Yecheon residents who were swept away by floods caused by recent torrential rains in North Gyeongsang Province.

(END)

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved