Over 20 people drowned in Kurdistan Region in five months

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region’s Civil Defense on Saturday warned of a sharp rise in drowning incidents, saying over 20 people have drowned since the start of 2026 despite the summer season not yet having begun.

“Drowning cases have increased this year, and this is not a good sign, especially since summer has not yet arrived, when the highest number of drowning incidents are usually recorded,” Sarkawt Karash, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region’s Civil Defense, told Rudaw on Saturday.

According to Civil Defense statistics, 21 people have drowned across different areas of the Kurdistan Region since the beginning of the year, compared to 63 cases recorded throughout all of 2025.

Karash said the highest number of cases was recorded within Erbil province with 11 deaths, followed by Zakho administration with five cases, Soran administration with four, and Halabja province with one.

The official said authorities plan to tighten safety measures and increase public awareness campaigns to curb the rise in incidents.

“We urge people not to swim in places they are unfamiliar with. We will tighten our measures, increase awareness campaigns, and ban swimming in most tourist areas and places where the water is deep,” he said.

Every year, rising temperatures drive many residents to rivers, lakes, and dams across the Kurdistan Region for recreation and swimming. Authorities, however, repeatedly warn that a lack of swimming skills, strong currents, and unfamiliarity with certain areas continue to claim lives during the warmer months.

Solin Hamadamin contributed to this article.