Police urge caution as drowning cases increase in Salah Al-Din

SALAH AL-DIN — Local authorities in Salah Al-Din Governorate have issued a warning and banned swimming in large sections of the Tigris River due to a rise in drowning incidents. Police have urged residents to avoid swimming in the river, especially in areas marked with warning signs.

Mohammed Za’al, head of the media office at Salah Al-Din Police, told 964media that teams have been deployed to alert residents to the dangers. Locals, including young people and children, often visit the river to cool off in the scorching heat, he said.

Za’al said signs and warning boards have been placed along many parts of the river, and the campaign will continue. He appealed to young people without proper swimming skills to stay away from the river.

According to police data, eight people have drowned in the Tigris River over the past three days.

With summer temperatures rising, many Iraqis turn to rivers and dams to escape the heat, but such outings often result in tragedy. Drowning incidents are common, particularly among young people with little swimming experience who underestimate the power of river currents and the dangers posed by deep or fast-moving water.

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