German tourist dies while hiking in Erbil province: police

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A German tourist passed away on Friday after experiencing health issues while hiking on Mount Safin in northeast Erbil province, police have confirmed to Rudaw. 

Hogir Aziz, spokesperson for Erbil police, told Rudaw's Rawchi Hassan that three German tourists and their Kurdish translator began the climb to Mount Safin, but "later one of the tourists, who had heart issues, experienced health difficulties and died.”

The deceased tourist has been identified as Gert Walter Presch, aged 60, Aziz added. 

His body was transferred to Shaqlawa hospital via a helicopter, according to Farid Omar, a firefighter from the Kore civil defence department.

Footage submitted by Omar shows a rescue team carrying the dead body of the German tourist to the foot of the mountain.

Mount Safin is located in Shaqlawa town and is visited by local and foreign tourists, who frequently hike the mountain.