NSW Police have confirmed an eighth person has died as bushfires continue to impact the state’s South Coast.
A 71-year-old man was reported missing from Nerrigundah in the Eurobodalla Shire.
Police have been told the man was last sighted on 31 December 2019 and was moving equipment on his property in Nerrigundah.
Police and rescue units have been unable to access this area for a number of days due to the fire risk.
Earlier today (Monday 6 January 2019), 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.
About 4pm the body of a 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.
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 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 and for road closures.
Police would also like to remind all persons residing within the areas affected by bushfires to register online with Register Find Reunite: .
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 9 October 2019;
A 68-year-old woman at Coongbar on 9 October 2019;
A 69-year-old woman at Diehard on 8 November 2019;
A 85-year-old man at Diehard on 8 November 2019;
A 63-year-old woman at Johns River on 8 November 2019;
A 58-year-old man at Willawarrin on 8 November 2019;
A 64-year-old man at South Arm on 9 November 2019;
A 32-year-old man (RFS volunteer) at Buxton on 19 December 2019;
A 35-year-old man (RFS volunteer) at Buxton on 19 December 2019;
A 59-year-old man at Yarrowitch on 29 December 2019;
A 59-year-old man at Royal North Shore Hospital on 29 December 2019, after sustaining injuries on 7 November 2019;
A 28-year-old man (RFS volunteer) at Jingellic on 30 December 2019;
South Coast:
A 63-year-old man at Wandella on 30 December 2019;
A 29-year-old man at Wandella on 30 December 2019;
A 70-year-old man at Yatte Yattah on 31 December 2019;
Believed to be a 56-year-old man at Coolagolite on 31 December 2019 (not yet formally identified);
A 71-year-old man at Nerrigundah, found today (6 January 2020);
A 72-year-old man at Belowra on 31 December 2019;
A 75-year-old man at Yatte Yattah on 1 January 2019;
A 62-year-old man at Sussex Inlet on 1 January 2020;
