10-Year-Old Boy Drowns in Sahm al-Golan Dam, Daraa

A 10-year-old boy has died after drowning in the Sahm al-Golan dam, located in the western countryside of Daraa, on Sunday.

The Civil Defense operations room in the Southern Region’s Emergency and Disaster Management department received a report of the drowning incident at 2:48 p.m. Following the alert, water rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the site, supported by ambulances from the Mahatta and Shajara centers, in an attempt to save the child.

Ahmed al-Hajar, the commander of the Civil Defense operations, stated that the incident occurred while the child was swimming alongside his brother and a friend. The boy encountered difficulties when his foot became trapped in the mud at the bottom of the dam, which ultimately led to his drowning. Although local residents managed to pull the boy from the water before the rescue teams arrived, medical personnel who provided first aid and transported him to Tafas Hospital later confirmed he had passed away.

This incident highlights the significant dangers associated with swimming in dams and bodies of water that are not designated for recreational use. Rescue teams have reiterated their warnings to the public regarding the severe risks of swimming in these locations. They noted that the geographical nature of such dams—which include irregular depths, deep silt and mud, and hidden water currents—poses a direct and fatal threat, particularly to children.

The Civil Defense teams in the southern region frequently respond to similar reports in various bodies of water. Their operations typically involve search and recovery efforts, providing emergency medical care, and transporting victims to health centers for necessary treatment.