18 Family Members Swept Away by River, Rescue Operation Underway

Swat – A tragic incident unfolded in the scenic valley of Swat, where 18 members of the same family were swept away by the rapidly rising waters of the Swat River. The family had travelled from Sialkot for tourism.

According to rescue officials, the family was having breakfast near the riverbank when a sudden surge in the water flow occurred due to rainfall. The powerful current pulled several members into the river before they could react.

Rescue authorities stated that they received the alert around 8:00 AM and immediately launched a search and rescue operation.

• 3 people have been rescued alive.
• 5 bodies have been recovered.
• Search continues for 10+ missing individuals.

A grieving tourist and family member said that 10 of their relatives were swept away, including one woman whose body has been recovered, while 9 children are still missing.

He claimed:

“We were sipping tea after breakfast while the children went to take selfies by the river. The water level was low, but a sudden surge trapped them. We immediately alerted rescue services, but they arrived after 1.5 to 2 hours. The children drowned in front of them, and they couldn’t save them.”

The deputy commissioner of Swat told the media that Section 144 is imposed near rivers, prohibiting entry or bathing, but tourists often ignore the warning signs.

“We constantly issue safety advisories, but enforcing them on tourists remains a challenge.”