Five drownings recorded in Anbar in two weeks, provincial official says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A member of Anbar Provincial Council said five drowning cases have been recorded in the province over the past two weeks, attributing the rise to faster water flows and a lack of compliance with safety warnings. Adnan al-Kubaysi said affordable private swimming pools are available in Fallujah and Ramadi, but that safe swimming areas across the province remain insufficient to meet demand. Kubaysi said the local administration has instructed administrative units to step up monitoring of rivers and lakes and to prevent unauthorized swimming. He noted, however, that Anbar's wide terrain and large number of agricultural areas make full coverage difficult to achieve. Recent water discharges have accelerated river flow, raising the risk of drowning in areas not designated for swimming, according to Kubaysi. He said river rescue teams and river police need additional personnel, modern equipment, and continuous patrols running from midday until evening to respond effectively. Most of the recorded drownings stemmed from ignored warnings, a lack of rescue equipment and life jackets, and the strength of the current, Kubaysi said.