The Death Toll from the Tigris River Incident Rises to at Least 92

Iraqi officials announced that the death toll from the capsizing of a passenger boat on the Tigris River has risen to at least 92. CNN reported, citing Saif al-Badr, spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Health, that among the victims, at least 12 were children. The report also reflected statements from Zuhair al-Arji, the mayor of Mosul, who stated that dozens of passengers are still missing. BBC World estimated the number of victims to be around 100, most of whom are women and children. The passenger boat was heading to a small tourist island on the Tigris River named 'Um Rabi'in' when the incident occurred. According to Iraqi officials, the boat was carrying more than double its capacity, which capsized midway due to rising water levels in the river. Previously, Iraqi government agencies had warned passengers about the rising levels of the Tigris River and that they had opened the dam gates due to recent rainfall. The number of passengers on the boat was estimated to be up to 200, most of whom could not swim, which contributed to the high number of casualties. CNN's report stated that the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad expressed condolences to the families of the victims in a statement. The statement read: 'Joy Hood, the chargé d'affaires, and all the representatives of the United States express their deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the tragic capsizing of the boat on the Tigris River.' The Iranian Foreign Ministry also expressed condolences to the Iraqi government and people and offered sympathies to the families of the victims.