By: SYED SHAHABUDDIN
In a heartbreaking incident at the tourist destination Shahi Bagh in Kalam valley, two more bodies of missing siblings were recovered from the Swat River, raising the death toll in the tragic boat accident to four, while one child is still missing. According to the Uper Swat development authority (USDA) spokesperson Saeed ur Rehman, all deceased individuals belonged to Shahgarh, district Mardan.
The tragic event occurred on Saturday evening when a boat carrying tourists capsized in the Swat River after its engine failed, causing it to go out of control. A total of 10 people, including women and children, were on board. Five were rescued in injured condition, while two women and three children drowned.
On the following day, rescue teams and local volunteers successfully recovered the bodies of Anabia, daughter of Faisal Ameen (age 6) and Umar Khattab, son of Faisal Ameen (age 4). The bodies were shifted to Kalam. Search is still ongoing for 14-year-old Owais, son of Muhammad Zameen. The two deceased women were identified as Fatima, wife of Basheer Zameen (age 35) and Asiya, daughter of Muhammad Zameen (age 21). All injured and deceased individuals have been transported to their native town for burial.
Saeed ur Rehman further said that the boat operator Shah Khalid had no official NOC (No Objection Certificate). A criminal case has been registered against him by the police.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Swat Shahzad Mahboob has taken serious notice of the incident and imposed Section 144, placing a complete ban on unauthorized boating across the district.
