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Schoolboy Vanishes, Found Deceased in Distant Waterfall
2 Jul
Summary
- A 10-year-old boy disappeared from a Japanese special needs school.
- His body was discovered in a waterfall approximately 1.5km away.
- Concerns arise about risks for children with intellectual disabilities.
A 10-year-old boy, who attended Ishikawa Prefectural Komatsu Special Needs School, was found deceased on Wednesday, July 2, 2026. He had been reported missing after leaving his classroom around 11 am local time on Tuesday, July 1, 2026. School officials believe he unlocked an emergency exit to leave the premises.
His indoor shoes were found near a rice field, and security footage showed a child resembling him running towards Junigataki Falls. Approximately 200 search personnel were deployed. A firefighter discovered the boy submerged in the waterfall's base on Wednesday, July 2, 2026, about 24 hours after his disappearance.
Authorities are not treating the death as suspicious, as no external injuries were apparent. The incident has drawn attention to the dangers, such as drowning and traffic injury, faced by children with intellectual disabilities who wander from safe environments. Data indicates a significant percentage of autistic children tend to wander, posing serious risks.
