The heartbreaking drowning of 11 tourists in Swat River has triggered widespread grief and outrage across Pakistan, with several celebrities and athletes using social media to voice their sorrow and frustration. The tragic incident occurred near Mingora on Friday morning, where 17 people, including women and children, were swept away by flash floods following heavy rainfall upstream.
Disturbing videos circulating online showed the group stranded on a shrinking island in the river, desperately waiting for rescue. However, no emergency teams or rescue boats arrived for hours. The delayed response sparked anger among the public and prompted a strong reaction from prominent personalities across the country.
Singer and actor Hadiqa Kiani expressed her heartbreak, questioning the absence of timely warnings and disaster planning. “These innocent lives paid the price of negligence,” she wrote. Actor Hira Mani also shared her grief, calling it “a human tragedy ignored” and urging immediate public support for Swat’s affected residents.
Former cricketer Shahid Afridi criticized the authorities, saying, “The people who drowned kept waiting for help that never came. Those responsible had other priorities.” Young fast bowler Naseem Shah echoed this sentiment, calling the news “absolutely devastating” and praying for the victims’ families.
Other celebrities, including Mawra Hocane, Aiman Khan, Yasir Hussain, and Zara Noor Abbas, also mourned the loss. Mawra posted a simple prayer, while Aiman urged followers to avoid rivers during monsoon season. Yashma Gill called it a “heartbreaking tragedy” and advised the public to stay cautious during heavy rains.
This collective response from Pakistan’s entertainment and sports communities highlights growing public frustration over repeated disasters caused by a lack of planning and poor emergency response. Many are now demanding solid reforms and accountability to prevent such avoidable tragedies in the future.