According to an official statement from the Erbil Security Directorate, a family from Sulaymaniyah had previously turned to a smuggler in an attempt to travel to Europe. However, while crossing a river in Turkey in a rubber boat, the boat sank. As a result of the tragic incident, the family’s three children—Hestyar, Heryad and Mila—drowned.
The statement added that, following the collection of intelligence and extensive follow-up, the identity of the smuggler, identified as (R. A. M.), was uncovered. He was later arrested by security forces under a judicial warrant issued by the Erbil Security Investigation Directorate when he returned to the Kurdistan Region, and was handed over to the courts.
