ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The final death toll rose to three, with at least 12 others injured in flash floods on Tuesday in eastern Sulaimani and northern Kirkuk provinces. The tragic incidents have prompted reactions from both Kurdish and Iraqi leaders, accompanied by calls for caution until mid-Wednesday.
Sarkawt Karash, spokesperson for the Region’s Civil Defense Directorate, told Rudaw that two people were killed in Chamchamal district in eastern Sulaimani province. They were identified as 72-year-old Omar Saeed Amin and 22-year-old Basharat Sharif.
Meanwhile, Ramk Ramazan, mayor of Chamchamal, told Rudaw late Tuesday that “the number of injured has risen to 12 so far.”
Unconfirmed reports of additional residents missing or injured have also emerged. Residents in Chamchamal told Rudaw’s reporter on the ground, Hiwa Hussamadin, that 11-year-old Karzan Abdulla and 9-year-old Chra Mohammed have gone missing amid the floods. Search operations are under way to locate them.
In the northern Kirkuk province, a young girl named Bayar Eisa also drowned. She was laid to rest later in the day.
A young girl, Bayar Eisa, was laid to rest on Tuesday after drowning in a flash flood in the northern Kirkuk province. pic.twitter.com/473DdG50yi