Choman
Search continues for missing 14-year-old girl
CHOMAN — The search for a 14-year-old girl, feared to have drowned, has entered its twelfth day, Soran Civil Defense said.
Maryam Ismail Khalili was reported missing on June 7, 2024, during a family outing to Ene village in the Choman district, according to a statement on the Soran Civil Defense’s Facebook page. The post, accompanied by photos of civil defense personnel near a flowing river, noted, “Today marks the eleventh day of our team’s search and investigation to determine the fate of Maryam.”
Her family, visiting from Kirkuk, reported her disappearance after discovering her shoes near the riverbank early that morning. Despite continuous efforts, search teams have not found any further signs of her presence.
Karwan Mirawdali, head of Soran Civil Defense, told 964media, “Two teams have been deployed daily since her disappearance. We strongly suspect she may have drowned.” He added that the search would continue daily for a month, after which it would be reduced to twice weekly if she is not found.
This incident contributes to a uptick in drownings in the region recently, where four tourists have already lost their lives this year. The Civil Defense Directorate of the Kurdistan Region reports a significant rise in drownings, with 26 deaths in the past five months compared to more than 100 last year. In response, local authorities are tightening safety measures at popular tourist destinations.