ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The family of Avesta Yousuf, who fell into an Erbil river in April, plan to continue looking for her as civil defense teams wrap up their three-month search on Saturday.
“After the completion of the civil defense teams' mission, we will remain and continue searching,” said Avesta’s uncle Fakhreddin.
Avesta, 27, fell into the Mergasor River in Soran district, around 132 kilometers north of Erbil, while on a picnic with her family on April 5. She had reportedly jumped into the water to save her brother who had fallen in. He survived, but Avesta was swept away by the current.
In June, Karwan Mirawdali, director of Soran Civil Defense, told Rudaw they would end their search on July 5 and present a final report to the relevant authorities.
Search efforts intensified on the last day, Saturday, with more than 100 personnel deployed around the river, using several techniques to locate Avesta, according to Rudaw’s correspondent on the ground. The search will continue until 7:00 pm when local officials will hold a press conference.
Avesta’s uncle said the family intends to perform a funeral prayer in absentia for her on Saturday.
“As respect for the effort and hardship that the people of Shanidar and that area have had, we want to convey our thanks and appreciation and for them to participate with us in the prayer,” he said.
They also plan to hold a funeral in Erbil but the date has not been set.
The Kurdistan Region’s lakes and rivers draw crowds during the hot summers, yet they tragically claim lives every year due to drownings. Erbil’s Civil Defence Directorate has attributed the fatal accidents to poor swimming skills, unfamiliarity with the terrain, dangerously cold water temperatures and a lack of proper gear like life jackets and inflatables.
