At least 17 tourists reported missing in Swat River flash floods; 9 bodies recovered
President Zardari, PM Shehbaz express deep grief & sorrow over the death of tourists in flood at Khwaza Khela area near river Swat
SWAT/PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD
At least nine tourists died after 17 individuals were swept away by a sudden surge of high water in the Swat River on Friday, drawing condolences from the country’s top leadership.
In a statement, Swat Deputy Commissioner Shehzad Mehboob confirmed that rescue authorities have recovered at least nine bodies and rescued four others alive while efforts were underway to locate the remaining four missing persons.
Providing details of the victims, DC Mehboob stated that 10 of the individuals involved in the incident were residents of Sialkot, six belonged to Mardan, while one was a local resident of Swat.
According to rescue officials, the affected individuals hailing from Sialkot was on a leisure trip, having breakfast by the riverbank at around 8am when heavy rains upstream caused an unexpected and rapid increase in water flow.
“We received information about the drowning of these people around 8am. There were guests on the bypass who were sitting on the bank of the river. These people were not aware of the water relay,” a rescue official said.
While four individuals have been successfully pulled to safety and the bodies of five recovered, the search for the remaining missing family members continues amidst challenging conditions.
While speaking to a private TV channel, Swat DC Mehboob reiterated that Section 144, which prohibits bathing in and approaching the river, is in force. He expressed concern that despite these restrictions, tourists continue to venture into dangerous areas.
A distraught tourist, who identified himself as a family member, recounted the harrowing ordeal, saying that 10 members of his immediate family were swept away, with the body of one woman found and the search for nine children still underway. “We were having breakfast and drinking tea, and the children went to take a selfie near the river. At that time, there was not much water in the river,” he told media.
He further explained that rescue officials arrived to the scene hours after the incident was reported and failed to rescue the children who were still struggling in the river when rescuers reached the location.
President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed deep sorrow and regret over the loss of precious lives due to the flood in Swat. “I express my heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of the deceased,” said President Asif Ali Zardari. “I share the sorrow with the affected families in this hour of grief. May Allah Almighty grant the deceased a place in the realm of mercy and grant patience to those left behind.”
Meanwhile Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of tourists in flood at Khwaza Khela area near river Swat.
In a statement, the Prime Minister prayed for the eternal peace of the deceased and patience for their families.
He directed for completing search for the missing persons in the incident at the earliest.
The Prime Minister directed the NDMA, administration and rescue agencies to further coordinate safety measures near rivers and streams.
He appreciated the NDMA, administration and rescue officials for rescuing tourists stranded due to the flood relay in Swat.
Furthermore, Senator Sherry Rehman also expressed grief over loss of precious lives as a result of “an irreparable tragedy” in the Swat River.
“The loss of precious lives in the flood is an irreparable tragedy,” said Rehman. “My heartfelt sympathy to the affected families in this hour of grief. I pray that as many people as possible can be saved in the rescue operation.”