SWAT: Rescue workers have recovered the body of another tourist who drowned in the Swat River, raising the death toll to 10. The incident occurred after a sudden surge of water trapped dozens of people across various spots along the river.
According to local authorities, around 70 tourists got stranded early yesterday when a flash flood hit the Swat River. Rescue teams managed to save 55 individuals quickly. However, 15 people went missing, and the search continued into the next day. Now, 10 people are confirmed dead, while three are still missing.
The tragedy struck near Swat Bypass, where several families were having breakfast beside the dry riverbed. Suddenly, a strong wave swept through the area. Many people were unable to escape. One of the affected families, visiting from Sialkot, lost 10 members in the disaster.
Rescue officials said the family was sitting near the river when heavy rainfall upstream caused a sudden increase in water flow. The strong current dragged everyone along. Some bodies were recovered quickly, while others took hours to locate.
Experts say sudden floods in rivers are becoming common due to climate change. Rising temperatures and fast-melting glaciers are causing unexpected water surges. Authorities have urged tourists to stay alert and avoid sitting near riverbanks, especially during monsoon and glacier-melting seasons.