18 tourists swept away in Swat river flash flood

SWAT: In a tragic incident, 18 tourists, including 10 people from a single family, were swept away in Swat river due to the flooding caused by the Monsoon rains.

According to the rescue officials, they have retrieved four bodies and three people have been rescued alive, while 11 people are still missing as search operations are underway under difficult circumstances.

Adnan, a traveler from Daska whose family members were among the victims, shared the tragedy. Four members of my family, including six children and four women, were washed away in the flood.

Three other people drowned along with us. We were having breakfast on the riverbank when the flash flood came and we had no chance to escape,” he told.

Around 80 personnel are working on the ongoing rescue operation, according to the rescue officials. Despite the fast-flowing water and inclement weather, efforts to find the missing people are underway. Four bodies, including two children, have been recovered from the river so far.

Rescue 1122 Director General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shah Fahad confirmed that three individuals stranded in separate areas were rescued successfully.

“The level of water in the Swat River is still dangerously high and search operations are in progress in five different areas,” he stated.

According to reports, heavy monsoon rains triggered flash floods in local streams, which submerged surrounding areas and took residents and tourists by surprise.

The local governments have alerted residents and visitors to stay away from riverbanks and flood areas. More rain is forecast in Swat and the surrounding areas in the next couple of days, increasing the danger of further floods.

One day prior, the rescue officials reported that three individuals passed away and many others were missing after being swept away by the flash floods Swat River.

The rescue squads have employed specialized gear to move through hazardous environments as they strive to find the missing persons.