Two Children Drown in Irrigation Canals in Lahj Governorate

Two children died after drowning in an irrigation canal in Al-Anad area, Tuban district, Lahj governorate, in an incident that has once again highlighted the dangers posed by these canals, which continue to threaten the lives of residents, particularly children and youth.

The victims were identified as Omar Rashid Turki (17) and Saif Shaheer Al-Dahfari (13), who drowned in one of the irrigation canals in the area.

According to local sources, the same location has witnessed multiple drowning incidents over the past years, claiming the lives of several children and young people, amid the absence of effective safety measures and long-term solutions to prevent such recurring tragedies.

Residents emphasized that the canal poses a serious danger due to strong water currents that pull victims into deeper areas, in addition to dense mud—locally known as “Al-Khalab”—which restricts movement and traps feet, significantly reducing chances of survival.

Residents also called for the launch of awareness campaigns targeting children and parents to warn against the dangers of swimming in irrigation canals and flood channels, especially during peak water flow seasons.