08.06.2026 16:31
As temperatures rise in Adana, children and young people seeking to cool off continue swimming in irrigation canals and rivers despite the risk of drowning. It has been reported that with the onset of hot weather in the city, 11 people have drowned so far.
As the heat increases in the city, drowning cases have also started to rise. In the city where 11 people have drowned so far, teams from the Adana Police Department's Community Policing Branch Directorate warned children and young people in irrigation canals where swimming is forbidden and dangerous, reminding them of drowning incidents and urging them to get out of the water. However, some young people said they felt safe because they knew how to swim.
"I TRUST MYSELF"
Ahmet Elhali, 17, who entered the canal, stated that they came to swim due to the hot weather and said, "We come here and swim because it's hot. Dozens of people drown here, but those who swim know. We can save ourselves. I am 17 and I have been swimming here since I was a child. I trust myself. I am not afraid to swim here."
"MY PARENTS DON'T KNOW, I COME SECRETLY"
Ahmet Arıkan (16) said, "It's hot, Adana is burning. I am 16 years old. There's nothing to fear if you know how to swim. I have been swimming here since I was 10. My mom and dad don't know I swim here. I come secretly. The pool doesn't give the same pleasure as this place, so we swim here."
Police teams stated that swimming in irrigation canals and rivers is extremely dangerous and warned citizens, emphasizing that children should be supervised more strictly by their families. It was learned that the police teams' information and warning efforts in the area will continue.