Seventh day
Search continues for child presumed drowned in Choman River
CHOMAN — The search continues for Ayhan, a child who is presumed to have drowned last Friday in the Choman River.
Ayhan fell into the river in the town of Galala, Choman, a week ago. Despite continuous efforts, search teams have not located the child.
Zana Bakir, a diver involved in the search, told 964media, “The heavy rains have caused the water to become turbulent and murky, limiting our ability to extend the search. We are waiting for the water to recede and clear before resuming.”
“The swift and cold water conditions make the search difficult, and few divers can safely enter the river,” Bakir added.
He also noted the challenges due to Aihan’s young age and mentioned, “It may take 35-40 days for the body to surface on its own.”
Aihan was visiting Choman with his father from Erbil. The child fell into the river, prompting his father to jump in to save him. While the father’s body was recovered shortly after the incident, the search for Aihan continues.
Choman, a popular destination in Erbil known for its scenic mountains and mild climate, draws many visitors, particularly on weekends.
The Kurdistan Region’s Civil Defense Directorate reports that 26 people have drowned in the region over the past five months. Last year, over 100 drownings occurred in the region, with civil defense teams rescuing nearly 70 individuals. This marks an increase from the previous year, which saw 77 drownings.
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