HIBAPRESS – Mohamed Zariouh
The city of Al-Aroui in the Nador region was shocked this Wednesday afternoon by the tragic passing of a child in his fourteenth year, who was snatched by the waters of an irrigation canal in the "Al-Kattara" area, on the border between the communities of Bni Oukil Oulad Mohand and Hassi Berkane.
The incident, which occurred unexpectedly, turned the tranquility of the area into a state of shock and bewilderment, after the breaths were unable to return to their owner amidst the cold water of the canal. Immediately after the news spread, the local authorities and elements of the Royal Gendarmerie mobilized their devices, rushing to the scene along with the rescue teams of the Civil Protection. A grueling search began in the waters of the canal, where the circumstances of the victim's fall remain unknown, and the attempts ended with the retrieval of the deceased's lifeless body, amidst an atmosphere of sadness and sorrow from those present. The body of the deceased was directed towards the mortuary of Al-Hassani Hospital in Nador, to be subjected to the legal procedures followed in such cases, while the Royal Gendarmerie services opened a judicial investigation under the supervision of the competent public prosecutor's office, to unravel the threads of the incident and determine the precise circumstances that led to the child's fall into this inevitable fate. This tragedy was not just a fleeting incident, but rather brought back to the forefront the discussion about the "black spots" formed by the open irrigation canals in the region. With every increase in temperature, these waterways turn into a dangerous haven for teenagers seeking recreation, eventually becoming deadly traps that stalk lives in the absence of sufficient protective barriers. Today, the voice of the residents and civil society activists rises, calling for an end to the "repeated drowning" series in the irrigation canals, demanding that the responsible authorities fence off the populated areas and enhance the role of monitoring patrols. The passing of the child of Al-Aroui today is a new cry that rings the alarm bell, calling for concerted efforts to protect children from the dangers of these facilities that have begun to steal smiles from the homes of the region.
