14-year-old drowns in irrigation canal in Tuzkhurmatu

TUZKHURMATU, Iraq — A 14-year-old boy drowned in an irrigation canal in Tuzkhurmatu district, Saladin province, while swimming with friends, local authorities said. The boy's body was recovered from the canal and taken to Tuzkhurmatu Hospital, according to District Governor Zulfiqar Haidar. Haidar said the district administration had issued a warning three months ago about the dangers of swimming in the canal, noting that its depth and strong currents pose a serious risk to children and young people. He urged families to keep children away from deep waterways with fast-moving currents. Officials and civil defense teams have repeatedly warned against swimming in irrigation channels, citing their depth, rapid flow and the difficulty of rescue operations. With summer temperatures rising across Iraq, children and young people frequently seek relief in rivers, canals and irrigation sites, contributing to a seasonal rise in drowning incidents. No further details on the victim were immediately available.