Homs, Dec. 28 (SANA) Syrian civil defense teams, supported by the Syrian army, rescued several people from drowning late Sunday as they attempted to cross the Syrian–Lebanese border through an unofficial route.
The incident occurred near the villages of al-Shabruniyeh and al-Dabbousiyeh, close to the town of Talkalakh in western Homs province, where a group of people tried to cross the Southern al-Kabir River amid heavy rainfall and strong currents.
Munir Qaddour, head of the Talkalakh Civil Defense center, said rescue teams were dispatched after reports of people being swept away near al-Shabruniyeh, an area known for illegal border crossings. He said rising water levels and fast-moving currents forced rescuers to proceed on foot, accompanied by army personnel.
After several hours, rescuers located two women and a young man. They were given first aid at the scene and later transferred to Talkalakh National Hospital for treatment. Survivors told rescuers that the group consisted of 11 people, four of whom managed to return to Lebanon, while others were carried away by the river.
Search efforts were suspended after teams were unable to safely enter the river due to the dangerous conditions, Qaddour said. A reinforcement unit, including divers and specialized rescue vehicles, was later deployed, but operations were postponed because of safety concerns. Coordination with Lebanese authorities was planned to resume the search from the Lebanese side of the border.
One survivor, Maria al-Samman, said she was part of multiple groups attempting to cross from Syria into Lebanon, describing the route as particularly hazardous during winter due to swollen waterways. She said Syrian forces reached them before they could complete the crossing the river and transferred them to emergency services.
Another survivor, Syrian refugee Nayef Riya, said Lebanese security forces had detained him while he was traveling to work in Lebanon and escorted him and others to a border area opposite al-Dabbousiyeh, where they were instructed to cross the river back into Syria. He said most were unable to cross due to heavy rain and strong currents, while he was rescued after being swept away.
Unofficial border crossings between Syria and Lebanon, particularly in western Homs province, are frequently used despite the risks.
