Riyadh: AAt least nine people lost their lives as 18 people went missing after being swept away in rain-induced flash floods along Swat River in Pakistan's northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK).
According to Kuwait News Agency, nine dead bodies, including two children, were recovered, Mayor of Sawat City Shahid Ali Khan said in a statement. The tourists originated from Punjab province and were having lunch at the river side when the flash floods swept 18 people including 12 tourists.
The provincial government has launched a rescue and search operation to locate the remaining people at eight different locations in Swat. A provincial government statement noted that a total of 75 people were trapped at different places along the Swat River on the bypass road, with 58 of them having been successfully rescued. An emergency has been declared in all district hospitals, and all concerned departments have been directed to be prepared for road clearance operations in case of blockages.
Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the deaths, praying for the eternal peace of the deceased and patience for their families. He has directed the rescuers to expedite the search for the missing persons. Additionally, he instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and rescue agencies to enhance safety measures near rivers and streams.