Ferry Carrying 35 People Sinks in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor as Rescue Teams Search for Missing

Ferry Carrying 35 People Sinks in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor as Rescue Teams Search for Missing
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A river ferry carrying more than 35 civilians sank in the Euphrates River in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor early Sunday after colliding with a temporary military bridge built over the river, local media reported.

The collision caused passengers to fall into the water, prompting rescue teams, local residents, and emergency response units from the health and defense ministries to rush to the scene.

Rescue teams managed to pull more than 15 people from the river, while search and recovery operations continued for several missing passengers. Authorities have not yet announced a final death toll.

Rescue teams said they had identified several of those rescued or recovered, while searches continued under difficult field conditions.

River ferries remain a key means of transport between the two banks of the Euphrates in parts of Deir ez-Zor, after many bridges were damaged and taken out of service during past years of conflict. The reliance on ferries has continued despite safety risks and ongoing efforts to rehabilitate damaged bridges.

The incident follows several recent drowning cases in the province. On June 16, a 10-year-old child went missing while swimming near the Al-Asharah bridge in eastern Deir ez-Zor countryside. Earlier in June, three children drowned in a branch of the Euphrates in Deir ez-Zor city, while separate drowning incidents on June 2 left a girl and a young man dead in the same region.

Residents have expressed concern over the lack of nearby civil defense centers and specialized rescue teams, saying the shortage slows emergency response during river accidents.