Swat: 18 members of tourist family swept away by river flood

Eighteen members of the same family were swept away by the fast-flowing waters of the Swat River on Sunday, after sudden rainfall triggered a rise in water levels near the bypass point.

According to rescue officials, the family had arrived from Sialkot to visit Swat and were having breakfast while seated along the riverbank. They were reportedly unaware of the incoming water surge when the current intensified, pulling them into the river.

Rescue 1122 teams said they received information about the incident at around 8 am. “The guests were seated near the river when the floodwaters suddenly surged,” an official said, adding that the family had no warning of the danger.

Emergency response teams launched a rescue operation immediately upon receiving the alert. So far, three people have been rescued alive, while the bodies of five victims have been recovered. The search for the remaining missing individuals is ongoing.

Deputy Commissioner Swat confirmed that Section 144 is currently enforced, banning people from swimming or approaching the river. “Despite this, tourists continue to ignore safety regulations,” he noted.

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A grieving tourist told a news channel that 10 members of his family were swept away, including nine children.

“We were having breakfast and tea, and the kids went near the river to take selfies,” he said. “There wasn’t much water at the time, but it rose suddenly. We called rescue services, but they arrived almost two hours later. The children drowned right in front of them, and they couldn’t save them.”