Pakistan flash floods: Tourists, 16 from one family among dozens swept away

Peshawar, Pakistan: At least seven people were killed and several others remain missing after flash floods triggered by pre-monsoon rains swept away dozens of tourists along the Swat River in northwest Pakistan on Friday.

Rescue teams said the tourists were picnicking near the river when sudden floods overwhelmed the area. Shah Fahad, spokesman for the provincial emergency service in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said nearly 100 rescuers are involved in the ongoing search operation.

Fahad confirmed that 16 members from a single family are among those either dead or missing. So far, seven people have been rescued and seven bodies have been recovered after hours of search efforts.

Videos shared on social media showed a group of around a dozen people stranded on a raised area in the middle of the river, shouting for help as floodwaters surged around them.

Authorities have urged the public to follow government warnings about flash floods, especially in the Swat Valley — a popular tourist destination during summer and winter.

Warning: Distressing footage — A group of people stranded on a river island, calling for help as floodwaters rise rapidly

Elsewhere in the country, at least 10 more people were killed in rain-related incidents in eastern Punjab and southern Sindh provinces over the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 17.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the Swat River tragedy and directed authorities to enhance safety protocols near rivers and streams to prevent further loss of life.

Heavy rains have been pounding various parts of Pakistan since earlier this week, blocking highways and damaging homes. Meteorologists warn that more rain is expected in the coming days.

Pakistan’s monsoon season typically runs from July to September. However, this year’s rains are forecast to be less intense than in 2022, when catastrophic flooding inundated a third of the country and killed nearly 1,740 people.