Seven of a family killed as tourist boat capsizes in Swat

At least seven members of a family were killed and one person went missing after a tourist boat capsized in a lake in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Wednesday, Aaj News reported, quoting police.

The incident occurred at Saifullah Lake in the scenic Kalam area of Swat district, where the family was on a sightseeing trip, police told media.

According to District Police Officer (DPO) Swat Mohammad Omar Khan, eight members of the same family were aboard the boat when it overturned in the lake.

“The bodies of seven victims have been recovered near the Mahodand area, while one person remains missing,” the official said.

Rescue teams, police personnel and local volunteers are continuing a search operation to locate the missing person.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and sought an immediate report from the relevant authorities.

The chief minister ordered a transparent investigation into the incident, directing that strict legal action be taken if negligence is found. He also instructed rescue teams to continue the search for the missing person with urgency and professionalism.

Expressing condolences to the bereaved family, Afridi said the provincial government stands with the victims’ families and will provide all possible assistance.

Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the accident, and an investigation is underway.

The incident came as Pakistan’s Meteorological Department forecast widespread rainfall across the country. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also warned of heavy rains and the risk of glacial lake outburst floods in the province’s upper areas, directing local authorities to take precautionary measures.