Search continues for teenager missing after boat capsizes in Lake Hamrin

DIYALA — More than 24 hours have passed since a boating accident on Lake Hamrin, northeast of Diyala, where 17-year-old Malak Ahmed is presumed to have drowned after a small boat carrying her family capsized. Despite ongoing efforts by river rescue teams, divers, and local swimmers from Diyala and Baghdad, her body has not yet been recovered. Authorities are now coordinating with the Garmian Independent Administration in the Kurdistan Region’s Sulaymaniyah to dispatch a specialized diving team equipped with advanced sonar technology to assist in the search.

The accident occurred due to the family’s unbalanced seating arrangement on either side of the boat, causing it to tilt and capsize.

“Lake Hamrin has been witnessing an all-out effort by river rescue teams, divers, local swimmers, and volunteers since yesterday afternoon. However, the rising water levels in the lake have made the search extremely challenging,” said Ahmed Al-Zarkoushi, Director of Saadiya Subdistrict.

He explained that the incident happened as the boat tilted while changing direction, combined with the family’s uneven seating.

“After rescuing the family members and bringing them ashore, the victim’s siblings realized their sister was missing. Despite returning to the accident site, they were unable to locate her,” Al-Zarkoushi added.

He emphasized that the boats commonly used on Lake Hamrin are designed for fishing, not tourism, and lack essential safety measures for passenger transportation.

“The local government has issued urgent directives to enforce strict safety measures to reduce the risk of drowning incidents in the lake. This includes ensuring all boats are equipped with proper safety equipment and life jackets,” Al-Zarkoushi concluded.