SWAT (The COW News Digital)A tragic incident unfolded in Swat Valley as 18 tourists were swept away by a powerful flash flood in the Swat River near Fizagat. Rescue teams recovered nine bodies, while four individuals were rescued alive. Efforts continue to locate the remaining five missing persons.
According to Shah Fahad, Director General of Rescue 1122 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the flash flood occurred suddenly, catching a group of tourists off guard. Upon receiving the emergency call, Rescue 1122 launched a full-scale search and rescue operation involving 120 personnel. Despite the high water current and treacherous conditions, operations remain ongoing.
Local sources report that 10 of the 18 affected tourists belong to a single family from Daska, Sialkot. Among the deceased or missing are young children and women, including individuals named Ayesha, Infaal, Meera, Aima, Ayan, Nimrah, and Sharmin. Others identified from the same family include Ajwa, Abdullah, and Rubina, while a tourist from Karachi named Muizullah was also among the victims.
President Asif Ali Zardari also extended condolences, stating:
“We stand in full solidarity with the affected families during this tragic time. May Allah grant the departed souls eternal peace and give strength to their loved ones.”
- Additional Deputy Commissioner Swat: Ehsan-ul-Haq
- Assistant Commissioner Babuzai Swat
- Assistant Commissioner Khwazakhela Swat
- District Emergency Officer Rescue 1122 Swat: Saad Khan
These suspensions came after initial reports indicated lapses in preemptive safety measures and oversight despite warnings of high river flow.
As search efforts continue, grief blankets the families affected and questions rise about disaster preparedness and administrative accountability. This tragedy once again highlights the urgent need for stronger early warning systems, better public awareness campaigns during monsoon months, and stricter enforcement of safety protocols in tourist-heavy areas prone to natural disasters.
