Search continues for child who fell into waterfall in Halabja

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A search operation was underway in Halabja, in the Kurdistan Region, for an 11-year-old boy who fell into a waterfall at a popular recreational site, local authorities said. The incident occurred Thursday evening at the Ahmed Awa picnic area, where the child slipped into the waters of the Zelam waterfall, according to the governorate's press office. Civil defense teams were dispatched to the site and rescue efforts continued on Friday, the statement said. The governor's office announced that the picnic area was closed to visitors for one day to ensure the safety of rescue personnel and to prevent disruption of the search. The child, whose name was not released, was visiting from a province in the northern Şırnak region of Turkey, the governorate said. Officials urged residents and tourists to follow the directions of rescue teams and to avoid interfering with the operation. No further details on the child's condition were immediately available.