A firefighter who had been missing for 10 days has been found dead in Gyeonggi Province. The man, identified only as Mr. A, was in his 30s and had been one of the first responders during the Itaewon crowd crush tragedy in October 2022.

According to police reports, Mr. A’s body was discovered around 12:30 p.m. on August 20 beneath a highway bridge in Geumi-dong, Siheung City, along the Seoul Ring Expressway.

Authorities confirmed that Mr. A had shown symptoms of depression following his involvement in rescue operations at the Itaewon disaster site, where 159 people lost their lives. Since then, he had undergone 12 sessions of psychological treatment provided by the National Fire Agency, which offers mental health support to first responders exposed to traumatic events.

Mr. A was last seen leaving his home in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province on August 10. After he was reported missing, police launched a large-scale search operation, which sadly ended with the discovery of his death.

The case has once again drawn attention to the mental health struggles faced by first responders who deal with traumatic incidents. Many firefighters and emergency workers involved in the Itaewon tragedy have since reported suffering from PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Authorities are continuing investigations, while the fire department is expected to provide additional support for Mr. A’s family.

Sources: MBN, Yonhap News