In a heartbreaking incident near the Mingora Bypass in Swat, 15 tourists from Daska were swept away by powerful flash floods in the Swat River, rescue officials reported. The tragedy has claimed multiple lives and triggered an extensive search and rescue operation.
According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Rescue 1122, four tourists have been confirmed dead, five have been successfully rescued, and seven remain unaccounted for. Swat Assistant Commissioner Dr. Nida Iqbal stated that Section 144 had already been imposed a week prior in anticipation of rising water levels in the river.
Read more: Monsoon Rains to Begin Across Pakistan With Flood, Landslide Warnings
Dr. Iqbal confirmed that seven tourists had tragically lost their lives, with their bodies recovered from the river, while rescue teams managed to save three individuals. Efforts are still underway to locate the remaining missing tourists. The director general of Rescue 1122 added that around 80 personnel are actively involved in the operation.
The incident adds to a series of similar tragedies across Pakistan, where rising river levels and seasonal rains have led to fatal drownings in multiple regions.
Swat City Mayor Shahid Ali shared that a flood warning had been issued at 8 a.m. following a sudden surge in river water. He explained that the tourists, visiting from Punjab, were unaware of the flood alert and were sitting near the riverbank when disaster struck.
“We had issued the alert, but by the time rescue teams and I reached the area, the damage was already severe,” Mayor Ali said. He confirmed that a total of 15 tourists were caught in the flash flood—three have been rescued so far, and two bodies have been recovered. Search operations are continuing along the river’s path to find the others.
Local administration officials, rescue workers, and volunteers are all contributing to the ongoing efforts. Mayor Ali emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are working as fast as we can to complete the operation.”
Authorities have urged tourists to stay away from rivers and avoid low-lying areas as water levels continue to rise due to monsoon rains. Meanwhile, rescue efforts are also underway to evacuate another group of people stranded near the Sangota area of Swat.
