Second drowning reported in Diyala as child dies in water project canal

DIYALA, Iraq — A child drowned in a water project canal in the village of Saadiye in the Khalis district of northwestern Diyala after a slab reportedly fell on his head while he was swimming, a security source said. The incident occurred hours after a separate drowning in the same district, marking the second such fatality within a single day. Earlier the same afternoon, a 10-year-old boy died by drowning in an agricultural water collection pool in the village of Saadiye al-Shatt, also in Khalis. Security sources said both children had been swimming in unsupervised water sources when they died. Security sources noted that the use of irrigation canals and pools for swimming in the area poses serious risks. Authorities urged families to keep children away from such locations, particularly during the summer months. No further details were immediately available.