Kurdistan
Civil defense forces carrying the bodies of the three drowned family members near the pond in Zakho on May 3, 2026. Photo: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Three members of a single family drowned in a pond in Duhok province's Zakho administration on Sunday.
“It began when a child fell into the pond and drowned,” Evindar Izzat, spokesperson of Zakho’s civil defense, told Rudaw at the site of the incident.
“His father jumped in to save him but drowned, followed by the child's uncle who drowned too,” he added.
Diwali Kocher, a commander of the Oil and Gas Police, told Rudaw that the reservoir, located in the Batel subdistrict in Zakho, was constructed by an oil and gas company for emergency use.
He noted that the pond was fully fenced with warning signs posted, but the drowned family - who were Arab shepherds - were not familiar with the area.
According to the directorate of civil defense, at least 61 people were drowned in the Kurdistan Region in 2025. The death toll in 2024 and 2023 was 64 and 61, respectively.
Most of the fatalities are attributed to poor swimming skills, unfamiliarity with the area, dangerously cold water, and lack of proper gear like life jackets and inflatables.
Solin Hamadamin contributed to this article.
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