Erbil Flash Floods Kill Volunteer Rescuer, Five-Year-Old Child Missing
A 25-year-old loader operator who joined rescue efforts voluntarily was swept away and killed in Seberdan neighborhood, while emergency teams continue searching for a child swept away by floodwaters
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Flash floods in Erbil have claimed the life of a 25-year-old volunteer who joined emergency teams to help residents, while a five-year-old child remains missing after being swept away by floodwaters, Erbil Governor Omed Xoshnaw said on Saturday.
In a statement, Xoshnaw said the young man, who was operating his own loader, had voluntarily joined rescue efforts in Seberdan neighborhood to assist residents affected by the flooding.
According to the governor's preliminary information, the 25-year-old was caught in the powerful current and lost his life while helping others.
Xoshnaw also reported that a five-year-old child had been swept away by floodwaters while traveling in a vehicle with the child's father. The father managed to escape, but the child's whereabouts remained unknown at the time of the announcement.
The governor said emergency and civil defense teams were on alert and continuing rescue operations, including efforts to locate the missing child.
The casualties were reported after heavy rainfall swept through Erbil on Saturday evening, causing flash floods and water accumulation in several neighborhoods.
The sudden rise in water levels prompted emergency response teams to mobilize to assist residents and respond to people caught in the flooding.
Rescue operations were continuing as authorities worked to locate the missing child and assist residents affected by the floods.