Erbil: Suspected Smuggler Arrested over Drowning of Three Kurdish Children in Turkey’s Meriç River

ARK News.. Erbil’s Security Forces (Asayish) have arrested a suspected smuggler allegedly involved in a tragic incident in which three Kurdish children drowned in the “Meriç” River (Evros) on the Turkish-Greek border while attempting to reach Europe with their family.

According to Kurdistan24, the Asayish tracked down the suspect in a security operation and arrested him. He is currently in the custody of the relevant authorities pending the necessary legal procedures.

The incident occurred in mid-October, when three siblings from Sulaymaniyah drowned in front of their parents. The children were identified as Hastiyar, 12, Haryad, 9, and Milla, 5.

The five-member family, consisting of the parents and their three children, had set out on a journey to seek asylum in Germany. They first travelled to Istanbul and then headed towards the border city of Edirne. The smuggler reportedly forced them to board a dilapidated inflatable boat to cross the Meriç River. The boat sank, killing all three children, while their parents survived.

The “Meriç” River, known in Greece as the Evros, is one of the most dangerous land and water routes used by hundreds of migrants each year in attempts to reach European Union countries. Dozens of migrants have drowned or gone missing in the area due to the difficult terrain and the use of makeshift boats by smuggling networks that lack even basic safety standards.

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