Swat river claims 18 from one family, rescue efforts recovers 5 bodies

SWAT: In a tragic event, at least 18 members of a family were swept away in the river due to a flash flood in the Swat district, according to media reports.

According to the rescue officials, the affected family had come to Swat from Sialkot for a visit and were sitting on the bank of the river and having breakfast.

However, due to the rain, the river became high, and 18 members of the same family were swept away.

Rescue officials said that they received information about the drowning of these people around 8 pm. There were guests on the bypass who were sitting on the bank of the river. These people were not aware of the water relay.

A rescue operation was started as soon as the incident was reported, and 3 people were rescued while the bodies of 5 were found as the search for others is ongoing, according to the rescue officials.

The Deputy Commissioner of Swat said while talking to reporters that Section 144 has been imposed on bathing in the river and going near it, but despite this, tourists go there.

A tourist, while speaking to the media, said that 10 members of his family were swept away in the river, of which the body of a woman has been found, and the search for 9 children is underway.

The tourist said that we were having breakfast and drinking tea, and the children went to the river to take a selfie. At that time, there was not much water in the river.

Suddenly, the water came, and the children got stuck. When the rescue was informed, they came after one and a half to two hours. All this happened in front of them. In the presence of the rescuers, the children drowned in the river, and they could not save them, he added.