The Brilliant Role of Rescue Dogs at the Flood Site

At the flood site in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, 119 rescue dogs are playing a significant role in the search for missing persons.

The exceptional olfactory abilities of the rescue dogs are providing crucial assistance in life-saving operations, such as discovering missing individuals buried under debris.

According to the fire authorities, at 9:33 AM on the 24th, a rescue dog named 'Gawon,' belonging to the Special Response Team of the Gangwon-do Fire Headquarters, showed a scent response at a specific location beneath Deokhyeon Bridge in Deokhyeon-ri, Sangmyeon, Gapyeong-gun.

Upon receiving the signal from the rescue dog, the firefighters focused their search efforts in the designated debris area, ultimately leading to the discovery of the body of an unidentified male.

The deceased male is presumed to be a teenage son who went missing with his mother after being swept away by a landslide at the Marilli Camping Site on the 20th.

The fire authorities are currently conducting procedures to accurately confirm his identity.

The Amazing Achievements of Rescue Dog 'Gawon'

The rescue dog 'Gawon,' who played a decisive role in this search operation, is a 5-year-old German Shepherd. Since starting its first mission on December 30, 2022, it has participated in approximately 40 rescue operations to date.

Gawon achieved success in locating one survivor who went missing in Bonguisan, Chuncheon, last August. On February 21, 2023, it also discovered the body of one deceased individual on a mountain in Donghae, demonstrating its continued effectiveness.

The Gangwon Fire Department is actively utilizing the capabilities of the rescue dogs at the flood site in Gapyeong. Just the day before, they successfully found the body of a male in his 70s who had gone missing after being swept away by swift currents near Deokhyeon-ri Dolsom Recreational Area.

Image Source: Provided by Gangwon-do Fire Headquarters