Child with autism drowns during temple visit with caregiver: Police

A pathway to a temple in Songgwang-myeon in Suncheon, South Jeolla [YONHAP]

Police said a child with autism likely drowned over the weekend in a valley near a temple in Suncheon, South Jeolla while visiting with a caregiver.

According to the Suncheon police on Monday, emergency services received a 119 call at 1:42 p.m. on Saturday about a child falling into the water.

The child was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The child was accompanied by a caregiver during the temple visit, who raised the alarm after the child went missing while they were participating in a prayer session.

The police, emphasizing no evidence of foul play, have requested an autopsy from the National Forensic Service.

The police said the child and the caregiver had visited the temple before on multiple occasions.

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]