Child drowns in irrigation canal in Adana

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A seven-year-old child has lost his life after falling into an irrigation canal in Yüreğir, Adana in southern Turkey.

While playing with his cousin, İbrahim Akkurt lost balance and fell into the canal, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported. He drifted with the current before disappearing.

The child's body was found six kilometers away from where he fell into the canal.

Since late April, at least nine children have lost their lives in irrigation ponds and canals across the country. Seven of the incidents occurred in the southern provinces of Adana, Mersin, and Maraş.

CLICK - Five children drown in irrigation canals in two days

Ertan Karabıyık of the Development Workshop had explained to bianet how and why the deaths occur: "Large irrigation canals are flowing fast. Whether you know how to swim or not, you suddenly get caught and lose control.

"Due to its nature, you cannot hold on to a place, and you cannot get out. There is nothing to hold on to like a branch or something.

"Since there is no protection around the canals... In the past, there were also problems with the canals in the cities. They surrounded those in the city with protection and drownings decreased." (AÖ/VK)