ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - China's Consulate General in Erbil said Wednesday that a Kurdish doctoral student from the Kurdistan Region's eastern Halabja province had “tragically drowned in China,” noting, in remarks made to Rudaw, that an investigation into the circumstances of his death is underway.
The Consulate said it learned late Tuesday that Mohammed Hadi, a PhD student at the Ocean University of China, “had tragically drowned” in the eastern city of Qingdao.
“We are deeply saddened by his passing and extend our heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathies to his family,” the diplomatic mission added.
The remarks came shortly after the university confirmed to Rudaw’s correspondent in Beijing, Mahdi Faraj, that Hadi’s body “had been recovered.” The cause of death however, remains unclear.
“The incident appeared to have occurred around two days before the body was found,” the university added.
For its part, the Chinese Consulate in Erbil said it is attaching "great importance to this matter" and has "immediately contacted the relevant authorities in China to learn more about its details."
"The local public security authorities and the university have promptly established a dedicated team to conduct an investigation in accordance with the law and relevant procedures," the mission added, noting that Chinese authorities “are maintaining close communication with the Iraqi Embassy in China” and that further information will be shared once the inquiry is concluded.
The Consulate also urged media outlets to “respect the privacy of the deceased and his family and to refrain from disseminating unverified speculations,” while affirming its readiness “to provide all necessary humanitarian assistance to Hadi’s family should they travel to China “to deal with the aftermath of this incident.”
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