The Kurdistan Region has reported 32 drowning incidents so far this year, with Erbil province seeing the highest number of cases. Despite repeated warnings, many citizens and tourists continue to ignore safety signs near rivers, lakes, and other water attractions.
Sarkawt Karash, spokesperson for the Civil Defense Directorate, confirmed the latest statistics. He said warnings are posted in Kurdish, Arabic, and English. However, compliance remains low, and swimming in dangerous areas continues.
Erbil leads the list with 11 recorded drownings. Duhok and the Soran Independent Administration each reported five cases. Zakho followed with six incidents. The Raparin area saw one drowning and 28 rescue operations.
In Garmiyan, two people drowned, while Akre and Bardarash together reported two more fatalities. Halabja and Sulaimani, on the other hand, reported no drownings this year.
One body from Soran has still not been recovered, according to officials.
Every summer, the Civil Defense teams install clear warning signs at popular water destinations. These include rivers, lakes, and remote swimming spots. Authorities have urged the public to follow safety instructions and avoid unsupervised swimming.
Rescue teams remain on alert, especially during weekends when visitor numbers rise.
Local officials emphasize that raising awareness is not enough without personal responsibility. They urge both residents and visitors to respect safety guidelines to avoid more tragedies.
As temperatures rise across the region, more people seek out water locations for relief. The government continues to call for caution and cooperation to reduce drowning cases.