130 passengers rescued after boat gets stuck in mud at Tarbela Dam

HARIPUR: All 130 passengers, including women and children, have been rescued in a rescue operation after a boat got stuck in mud near Tarbela Dam in Haripur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The boat carrying passengers returning from Bait Gali to Haripur got stuck at Chandi Chowk near Tarbela Dam. The passengers were stranded for four hours due to the delay in the rescue operation.

The boat was carrying around 80 passengers, including women and children, and was going from Bait Gali to Haripur. Due to the low water level in Tarbela Dam and the lake, local boatmen are facing difficulties in navigating the boats in the water, making it difficult for them to help the stranded vessels. Local residents said that several boat owners and boatmen have left to rescue the stranded boat.

On receiving the information, the Deputy Commissioner of Haripur directed the Assistant Commissioner Haripur to lead the rescue operation along with a team of Rescue 1122. Upon arrival, the team successfully transferred several passengers to rescue boats to lighten the load on the stranded boat. This allowed the boats to safely reach the shore.

Local authorities stressed that the boat was carrying 130 passengers, far more than its capacity of 70, which is a violation of safety protocols.

After completing the rescue operation, food and snacks were provided to the passengers. Police were directed to arrest the boatman and others involved in overloading and initiate legal action against them.

Assistant Commissioner of Haripur, Muhammad Hamza Abbas, closely monitored the rescue operation. The operation involved the district administration, Rescue 1122, police and revenue personnel, who ensured the safe evacuation of all passengers.