Tourist drowns while swimming in Duhok river

DUHOK — A 31-year-old male tourist drowned on Saturday while swimming in the Galiye Sherane River in the Deraluk sub-district of Amedi district, Duhok governorate.

Masoud Boti, a spokesperson for the Amedi Health Directorate, told 964media that they were alerted to the drowning incident by several individuals. “The tourist, aged 31, drowned while swimming. The body is currently at the Amedi Forensic Medical Center and will be transferred to the Duhok Forensic Medical Center after further examination,” Boti explained.

This incident is part of a troubling pattern in the region; according to statistics from Duhok’s Civil Defense Department, eight people have drowned within the governorate’s borders since the beginning of the year, with over 65 drowning deaths reported across the Kurdistan region.

Local authorities have consistently warned both locals and tourists against swimming in rivers and lakes due to safety concerns, yet many continue to disregard these warnings.

On Aug. 19, two sisters, aged 20 and 21, drowned while swimming in the Qandil River in Erbil’s Harir district.