Swat River Tragedy: Death Toll Climbs

The number of fatalities resulting from the unfortunate incident on the Swat River has reached 12, following the discovery of a child’s body in the Charsadda district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to statements from Rescue 1122 Swat, the child, who was washed away by the river’s current, was located further downstream. The body has been taken to a medical facility for necessary legal procedures before being transported back to Mardan via ambulance.

Rescue 1122 has also verified that the search continues for one remaining missing person.

Details of the Incident

The devastating event occurred when a group of 17 individuals from a family hailing from Sialkot, who were enjoying a picnic by the Swat River, were unexpectedly swept away by a strong surge of water on Friday. Response efforts by rescue teams were met with significant difficulties.

The Director General of Rescue 1122 had stated that the operation to find and retrieve victims had been expanded to include areas around Khwazakhela, Kabal Bypass, and Barikot.

The extensive search mission involved over 120 rescue workers from Swat, Malakand, and Shangla. They utilized boats and specialized tools to carefully examine the river’s edges and deeper areas.

Government Response

In response to the tragedy, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced plans to initiate a large-scale operation aimed at removing unauthorized structures built along the Swat River.

KP Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah stated that all mining activities along the riverbeds are now strictly prohibited. Furthermore, a coordinated campaign will target all encroachments, notably hotels illegally built on or near the riverbanks.