Tens dead after ferry sinks in Mosul
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Tens of people have died when a ferry sank in the Tigris River in Mosul.
At least 40 people died, Reuters reported, citing police and medical sources. Twelve people have been rescued so far and teams are still working to pull survivors out of the water, Husam Khalil, head of Mosul’s Civil Defence Authority told Reuters.
Iraqi media report that as many as 170 people may have been on the boat.
Rekawt Hama Rashid, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Health Minister, told Rudaw the Iraqi health ministry contacted him to request help aiding the victims.
“We’ve sent 10 ambulances from Duhok to Mosul,” he said.
Many of the victims are women and children, according to the Mosul Eye, a blog that documents events in the city.
10s of people drowned when a ferry sank few minutes ago in Tigris river, Mosul.#Mosul2019 pic.twitter.com/6zjaYMBvji
— Mosul Eye ??? ?????? (@MosulEye) March 21, 2019
Video published by Iraqi media show tens of people struggling in water that is high and fast-flowing after days of rains.
The incident occurred near an amusement park and a popular sport where people were celebrating the Newroz holiday.
Video: Mosul Eye
Updated at 5:04 pm