Missing boy found dead after extensive search

A rescue team that had searched extensively for an 8-year-old boy who went missing found him dead on Wednesday, according to a notice released by Dali city, part of the Dali Bai autonomous prefecture in Yunnan province.

The boy was found in a mountain stream north of Qingbi Creek in the city's Dali town at around 5 pm on Wednesday.

Following an on-site examination and thorough investigation, authorities ruled out death by external injury, and found no evidence that the death was the result of a crime, the notice said.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of the child and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family," the team said in the notice. "We also express our gratitude to all sectors of society for their attention and support during the search and rescue efforts. Further related work is currently underway."

On Saturday, Dali city's public security bureau received a report that the boy had gone missing. In response, the city mobilized a coordinated search and rescue operation involving local police, fire rescue teams, forest firefighters, emergency services, the forestry and grassland administration, and volunteer groups of local civilian rescue teams, the team said in an earlier notice.

By Sunday afternoon, more than 300 personnel, two search dogs, four unmanned drones, and five thermal imaging devices had been deployed to locate the child in the area, which features rugged terrain and dense vegetation.

A resident surnamed Zhang from Dali city, who offered to help with the rescue, told China Daily on Monday that over 380 residents from Dali had created a WeChat group to aid in the rescue, and at least 200 of them had participated in the effort by joining the search on the mountain or organizing supplies.