Saudi tourist drowns in Turkish river as brother's rescue attempt fails
Abdulaziz Al Harbi, 39, was swept away by strong currents while photographing at Uzungöl in Turkey's Black Sea region. His younger brother jumped in to save him but the rescue failed.
Saudi tourist drowns in Turkish river as brother's rescue attempt fails
A Saudi tourist drowned in northern Turkey after being swept away by a fast-flowing river while posing for a photograph, despite a desperate rescue attempt by his younger brother that was captured on video.
Abdulaziz Al Harbi, 39, lost his footing on wet rocks beside the Haldizen River in the Demirkapı area of Trabzon Province before falling into the powerful current, according to Turkish media reports cited by Okaz newspaper.
The incident occurred at Uzungöl, a popular destination located 95 kilometers southeast of Trabzon city center, where the lake was formed centuries ago by a landslide that created a natural dam in the Haldizen Stream valley. The valley runs through challenging mountain terrain in the Pontic Alps, with elevations reaching up to 3,376 meters at Demirkapı Peak.
Desperate rescue attempt caught on video
Video footage shared on social media showed Al Harbi clinging to a tree branch as he fought to stay afloat. His 23-year-old brother, Omar, immediately jumped into the water and grabbed the other end of the branch in an effort to pull him to safety.
The rescue attempt was overwhelmed by the force of the current. Witnesses reported that Al Harbi struck his head on a rock before losing his grip and being swept downstream, despite frantic efforts by his brother and onlookers at the scene.
Emergency teams from Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), which operates 81 provincial branches and 11 specialized search and rescue units across the country, arrived within minutes alongside gendarmerie units and medical services.
Al Harbi was pulled from the river but was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was transferred to the Forensic Medicine Institute for examination, while his brother received medical treatment and was reported to be in stable condition.
Black Sea region's deadly track record
The Black Sea region has proven particularly hazardous for visitors. Between 2012 and 2022, a total of 554 drowning incidents were reported in 12 Black Sea coastal provinces including Trabzon, resulting in 304 deaths out of 648 people who were pulled away from shore by rip currents. The Haldizen Valley area is characterized by spruce forests and weather conditions that can shift rapidly even during summer months.
Trabzon Province, with a population of 818,023, is prone to flooding and landslides due to heavy rainfall, with emergency services receiving hundreds of incident reports during severe weather events.
The tragedy highlights ongoing safety concerns in the region. A similar incident occurred when an Omani tourist fell into a river in Ayder city in northern Turkey's Black Sea region, prompting the Omani embassy to urge citizens to follow safety guidelines for tourism in Turkey.
Saudi tourists flock to Turkey despite risks
Saudi Arabia remains one of the top source countries for tourists to Turkey, with approximately 922,000 Saudi arrivals in 2025, representing a 6% increase from 2024. In January 2026 alone, Saudi arrivals to Turkey increased by 37.71% year-on-year.
Uzungöl is renowned for its mountain scenery and rivers, but authorities have repeatedly warned visitors about the dangers posed by strong currents and slippery riverbanks. Travel safety experts emphasize that strong currents can be especially dangerous in the Black Sea region and recommend travelers pay attention to warning flags and avoid swimming in unsafe conditions.
