JALALPUR PIRWALA – A second boat accident within hours in Jalalpur Pirwala’s Mohana Sandila area claimed at least nine lives, including a four-year-old child, on Wednesday night. Rescue teams are still searching for the remaining missing victims.
According to police, the private boat carrying flood-affected families sank after 28 passengers boarded it. Earlier, another boat had capsized in the same area. Locals rescued 19 people immediately, while eight passengers went missing. Flood victims had been using private boats after official rescue teams were delayed.
Rescue officials confirmed that two bodies were recovered on Thursday morning, including Salman, the four-year-old child. The victims’ bodies were shifted to a nearby hospital.
According to a surviving boatman, nine people drowned in the accident, while others were saved by villagers before the arrival of official rescue teams.
A video statement from the boatman revealed that each passenger had paid Rs2,000 for the ride. The vessel sank upon reaching Mohana Sandila, and no rescue teams were present at the time. He confirmed that the passengers were flood-affected families seeking safety.
Police and rescue officials are continuing operations to recover the remaining missing persons. Locals have been actively assisting due to initial delays in official rescue services.
Earlier on Wednesday evening, another boat carrying 20 people capsized on Khanbela Road. A 20-day-old baby girl lost her life, while the remaining 19 passengers were rescued by Rescue 1122 personnel.
Other recent accidents in the region include a boat in Darabpur village, Alipur, and one near Bhakri in Ahmedpur East. Fortunately, all passengers in these cases survived or managed to come out of the water safely.
In Noorwala village, Liaquatpur, a previous accident claimed eight lives, with three bodies recently recovered. The total death toll from flood-related boat accidents in the past few days has risen to ten. Search operations continue to locate Halima Bibi and Faraz, who went missing during rescue efforts.
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