A devastating incident occurred on August 8, 2024, at the Alpaslan-1 Dam located in the province of Muş, Eastern Turkey. A family gathering turned tragic when five family members lost their lives trying to save 13-year-old Rabia Karakaya from the powerful currents of the dam.
While her family was enjoying a picnic by the Murat River, a primary tributary of the Euphrates, Rabia went for a swim. Shortly after entering the water, she found herself in difficulty. Her older brother and sister, Yasin Karakaya, 18, and Edanur Karakaya, 20, immediately jumped in to assist her. As their attempts proved unsuccessful, Fatma Hediye Karakaya, Rabia’s 22-year-old sister-in-law, who was eight months pregnant, and Eylul Tekin, a 15-year-old family member, joined the rescue effort.
Unfortunately, the rescue attempt resulted in all five family members losing their lives in the water. Rescue teams rapidly arrived at the scene and managed to recover the bodies of Rabia, Edanur, Yasin, and Eylul. The search for Fatma extended into the evening, with a diving team locating her body just prior to suspending the search for the night.
Local community leader Ali Rza Tekin along with others arrived at the tragic scene where the bodies had been recovered. The victims were transported to Muş State Hospital for post-mortem examinations before being returned to their family for burial. Rabia, Edanur, and Yasin were buried next to their mother, who died in 2016. Fatma, who had been married just a year, was laid to rest in her village.
The Murat River, with its seasonal water level changes due to snowmelt and heavy rain, poses significant risks to swimmers, particularly in dam areas like the Alpaslan-1. The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority of Turkey (AFAD) has frequently alerted the public about the hazards of swimming in these volatile waters, emphasizing the concealed obstacles and unpredictable currents that can surprise even the most skilled swimmers.
Following this tragic incident, authorities continue to urge the public to exercise caution when swimming in open waters, particularly in dammed rivers. Incidents such as these serve as grim reminders of the potential dangers involved.
