NSW Police have confirmed an eighth person has died as bushfires continue to impact the state's South Coast.
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A 71-year-old man was reported missing from Nerrigundah in the Eurobodalla Shire. Police were unable to access the area to search for the man until today (Monday, January 6).
Police were told the man was last sighted on December 31, 2019 and was moving equipment on his property in Nerrigundah, west of Bodalla.
"Police and rescue units have been unable to access this area for a number of days due to the fire risk," a police spokesperson said.
On Monday, January 6, police coordinated a large-scale land search and were able to access the property, which had been destroyed as a result of the Badja Forest Road Fire.
At about 4pm, the man was located between the property and a car, which had both been destroyed by fire.
"The body, which is yet to be formally identified, is believed to be that of the missing 71-year-old man," the police spokesperson said.
READ MORE: South Coast fires LIVE blog
Detectives from South Coast Police District are currently on scene and are being assisted by NSW Police Force Rescue and the Volunteer Rescue Association.
Inquiries are continuing, and a report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.
Detectives from South Coast Police District recently established Strike Force Indarra to investigate all aspects of the fires.
This will include investigating the fatalities that occurred in the southern district, loss of livestock, properties damaged and destroyed, and the cause of the fires.
As the bushfire emergency continues, people are urged to obey direction of emergency services and to monitor the Rural Fire Service NSW website www.rfs.gov.au and www.livetraffic.com for road closures.
Police would also like to remind everyone residing within the areas affected by bushfires to register online with Register Find Reunite: https://register.redcross.org.au.
Emergency services are also reminding the community not to contact Triple-Zero (000) unless there is an emergency.
So far, 20 people have lost their lives this bushfire season:
- A 77-year-old man at Coongbar on October 9, 2019;
- A 68-year-old woman at Coongbar on October 9, 2019;
- A 69-year-old woman at Diehard on November 8, 2019;
- A 85-year-old man at Diehard on November 8, 2019;
- A 63-year-old woman at Johns River on November 8, 2019;
- A 58-year-old man at Willawarrin on November 8, 2019;
- A 64-year-old man at South Arm on November 9, 2019;
- A 32-year-old man (RFS volunteer) at Buxton on December 19, 2019;
- A 35-year-old man (RFS volunteer) at Buxton on December 19, 2019;
- A 59-year-old man at Yarrowitch on December 29, 2019;
- A 59-year-old man at Royal North Shore Hospital on December 29, 2019, after sustaining injuries on November 7, 2019;
- A 28-year-old man (RFS volunteer) at Jingellic on December 30, 2019;
South Coast:
- A 63-year-old man at Wandella on December 30, 2019;
- A 29-year-old man at Wandella on December, 30 2019;
- A 70-year-old man at Yatte Yattah on December, 31 2019;
- Believed to be a 56-year-old man at Coolagolite on December 31, 2019 (not yet formally identified);
- A 71-year-old man at Nerrigundah, found today (January 6, 2020);
- A 72-year-old man at Belowra on December 31, 2019;
- A 75-year-old man at Yatte Yattah on January 1, 2019;
- A 62-year-old man at Sussex Inlet on January 1, 2020;
