Six killed as boat capsizes in Swat

A tragic boat accident at Saifullah Lake in the Kalam area of Swat claimed the lives of at least six tourists, according to rescue officials.

A tragic boat accident at Saifullah Lake in the Kalam area of Swat claimed the lives of at least six tourists, according to rescue officials.

The incident occurred when a boat carrying tourists capsized in the scenic lake, which attracts large numbers of visitors during the summer season.

Rescue 1122 confirmed that six people lost their lives in the accident. Emergency teams rushed to the area immediately after receiving information about the incident and launched rescue and recovery operations.

According to initial reports, the victims belonged to Punjab and had travelled to Kalam to spend their holidays in the popular tourist destination.

Rescue officials dispatched ambulances and emergency personnel to the site from nearby areas as soon as the Swat control room received the distress call.

The bodies of the deceased were recovered from the lake and shifted to a nearby civil hospital for identification and legal formalities.

District administration officials said investigations were underway to determine the exact number of passengers on board the boat and the circumstances that led to the accident.

Deputy Commissioner Suhail Khan said Saifullah Lake remains a popular attraction for tourists during the summer months due to its natural beauty and pleasant weather.

He noted that Section 144 had been imposed in the area and that security and administrative personnel are usually deployed at tourist sites during the peak season to ensure public safety.

Officials are also examining whether safety instructions and boating regulations were being followed at the time of the incident.

Meanwhile, search efforts continued for any missing passengers as rescue teams combed the lake and surrounding areas.

Faisal Karim Kundi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in the tragedy and extended condolences to the bereaved families.

The governor directed the relevant departments to continue the search operation without interruption until all missing individuals had been located.

He also instructed authorities to ensure strict implementation of safety protocols and boating regulations at tourist destinations across the province to avoid similar incidents in the future.

The tragedy has once again raised concerns over safety arrangements and emergency preparedness at popular tourist sites during the busy summer travel season.