Young man drowns in Tigris River in Tikrit, tenth such death in Saladin this year

SALADIN, Iraq — A young man drowned in the Tigris River near the University Bridge in Tikrit on Friday, according to a source in the Saladin police river unit. The victim was identified as Sitar Suheil al-Dalimi. Civil defense teams and river rescue units launched a search operation after the incident was reported. Divers continued their work on Saturday, hampered by strong currents and deep sections of the river, the same source said. The death brought the number of drownings recorded in Saladin province this year in the Tigris and other waterways to 10, according to the police source. The province typically sees a rise in such incidents during the hot summer months, as residents, particularly young people, seek relief in rivers and other water sources where safety measures are largely absent.