Body believed to be missing teacher Avesta Barzinji found in Great Zab River after eight months

ERBIL — The body believed to be that of teacher Avesta Yousif Barzinji was recovered Sunday in Great Zab River, more than eight months after she disappeared in the Tangatour River in Erbil’s Mergasor district, her family and local sources said.

The body was found near the village of Sargawar, near Erbil’s Harir district and transferred Sunday night to Erbil’s forensic medicine department for examination. The family said burial is expected Monday in Barzan district, pending completion of forensic procedures.

Avesta’s father told 964media he saw the body and believes it is his daughter. “I saw the body with my own eyes and I am certain it is my daughter,” he said, adding that forensic authorities are still conducting examinations and DNA testing.

He said condolences will be held in Barzan for one day and then in Erbil for another day.

Fouad Barzinji, a relative, said the family identified the body based on clothing and personal items. “Based on the shoes, trousers, blouse and necklace found on the body, we are sure this is Avesta,” he said. “The final decision is with forensic medicine. They will officially tell us.”

He said relatives did not go to the recovery site and gathered instead at the forensic department. “The body is not in a condition that makes identification impossible,” he said.

A local resident, Yusuf Ahmed, told 964media he was among the first to see the body after his brother spotted it. “When we got closer, we saw it was a woman wearing red clothing and a necklace around her neck,” he said, adding that part of one leg was missing.

Avesta disappeared April 5, 2025, while traveling with her family from Erbil to the Mergasor area in the Soran administration. She fell into the Tangatour River while trying to rescue her brother, Hussein, who had slipped into the water. Hussein managed to save himself, but Avesta was swept away by the current.

Search operations continued for weeks and then months, with civil defense teams expanding and then reducing their schedule over time.

During the search, civil defense teams from Soran, Erbil, Shaqlawa and Akre deployed boats, divers, drones and ground units across long stretches of the river. “Every day, we search a 150-kilometer stretch for any signs of Avesta,” Mirawadeli said earlier. “In addition, many local residents are helping and searching with us.”