In a devastating incident early Friday morning, a peaceful family outing along the Swat River turned into a tragedy when a sudden rise in water levels swept away at least 18 members of a family visiting from Sialkot. Rescue teams have so far recovered seven bodies, while three people were pulled to safety. Efforts are still underway to locate the missing.
According to rescue officials, the family was having breakfast near the riverbank around 8 a.m. when upstream rains caused a rapid and unexpected flood. “They were guests sitting by the river and had no idea of the approaching danger,” a rescue official said. Witnesses described the moment as sudden and chaotic, with children reportedly taking selfies near the water just minutes before the flood hit.
A grieving family member revealed that ten of his close relatives had been swept away, including nine children. He claimed that the rescue teams arrived too late to save those who were visibly struggling in the water.
Despite Section 144 being in effect — a regulation that bans approaching or bathing in the river — tourists reportedly continue to access risky spots. Deputy Commissioner Swat Shahzad Mehboob urged the public to adhere to safety advisories to prevent further loss of life.
The Pakistan Army has joined local authorities in ongoing rescue and relief missions. Troops equipped with essential gear have reached Swat to assist Rescue 1122.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives. He directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and local administrations to intensify rescue operations and implement precautionary measures. President Asif Ali Zardari and Senator Sherry Rehman also offered heartfelt condolences, calling the incident an “irreparable tragedy.”
Meanwhile, the region has been grappling with widespread flooding following a night of intense rainfall. In Lower Dir, the Panjkora River overflowed, stranding several residents. Rescue teams successfully saved five individuals, including children and women. In Swat, 55 out of 70 stranded people have been rescued so far, while at least 14 deaths have been reported in separate flood-related incidents.
Despite challenging conditions, rescue operations continue across Swat and Lower Dir, with dozens still feared missing.
