Tragedy in Turkey: Saudi Tourist Swept to His Death by Raging River Currents

TRABZON, Turkey — A picturesque vacation in northern Turkey took a devastating turn when a 39-year-old Saudi tourist was swept away and drowned in a fast-flowing river. The incident occurred in front of horrified onlookers, including the victim's younger brother, who risked his own life in a desperate but ultimately failed bid to save him.

The tragedy unfolded in the highly popular Black Sea resort destination of Uzungöl, located within the Çaykara district of Trabzon Province. The victim, identified as Abdulaziz Al Harbi, was visiting the scenic Demirkapı area with family members.

Witnesses and local media reports state that Al Harbi was standing near the edge of the Haldizen River attempting to pose for a commemorative holiday photograph. While attempting to secure a scenic angle, he lost his footing on the slick, wet rocks flanking the riverbank and fell directly into the torrential current.

The river, swollen and fast-moving, immediately overpowered the 39-year-old. Video footage captured by bystanders and later shared on social media documented the terrifying struggle for survival as Al Harbi managed to briefly grab onto a passing tree branch to stay afloat.

Seeing his older sibling in mortal danger, Al Harbi's 23-year-old brother, Omar, immediately leapt into the powerful waters in a frantic rescue attempt. Omar managed to reach the other side of the branch, gripping it tightly as he tried to pull his brother back toward the safety of the riverbank.

However, the relentless force of the Haldizen River's current proved too strong. According to eyewitness accounts, Abdulaziz tragically struck his head violently against a submerged rock, causing him to lose his grip on the branch before being violently pulled downstream out of his brother's reach. Omar was also swept down the river for a considerable distance, battling the rapids before bystanders and local residents managed to pull him to safety.

Emergency rescue teams—including units from Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), local gendarmerie forces, and paramedics—rushed to the coordinates within minutes of receiving the distress calls.

Following a localized search operation along the river route, responders managed to pull Abdulaziz Al Harbi out of the water. Despite the swift arrival of medical personnel, he was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. His body was subsequently transferred to the Forensic Medicine Institute for a formal examination.

Omar Al Harbi was transported to a nearby hospital to receive urgent medical treatment for injuries sustained during the rescue attempt. Hospital officials later reported that his condition had stabilized. Uzungöl remains one of Turkey’s most widely acclaimed tourist hotspots, drawing hundreds of thousands of domestic and international visitors annually for its dramatic alpine landscapes and winding waterways.

However, local authorities have repeatedly issued safety advisories warning tourists of the deceptive dangers presented by the region's rivers. Rapid changes in water velocity, hidden underwater rock hazards, and highly slippery perimeters make approaching the edge of the fast-flowing channels exceptionally dangerous, especially during seasons of high water runoff.