Young swimmers pledge to protect visitors
Villagers form voluntary lifeguard team for tourist safety in Chamchamal
CHAMCHAMAL, January 18 – Five young swimmers from Goptapa village in Chamchamal have established a voluntary lifeguard team dedicated to ensuring the safety of tourists in the area.
Goptapa village, along with its three neighboring villages, is situated by the Little Zab River, a popular destination attracting numerous tourists each spring and summer.
Members of the Goptapa voluntary team have expressed their commitment to assisting government teams in the search and rescue operations that take place each year whenpeople drown or go missing. Shvan Goptapayi, a member of the team, shared with 964media, “As five young volunteers, our team is well-equipped with boats, clothing, and gear to serve and safeguard tourists in Goptapa and Bogd villages.”
Goptapayi also highlighted the independent nature of their initiative, stating that their team’s needs have been met through contributions from a number of donors, with no affiliations to any organizations or political parties. As spring approaches, the team anticipates a monthly expenditure of about 100,000 to 120,000 dinars for gasoline.
Luqman Hassan, Director of Chamchamal Civil Defense, informed 964media of current efforts towards coordinating with the team. “This team has not gone through any relevant training courses. They need to get expertise to prevent accidents and to avoid potential drowning themselves,’’ he cautioned.