4 killed, 17 tourists missing after boats sink in Pakistan
Civil Defence of Bajaur rescuer’s heroic act saves eight lives from drowning in Raghagan Dam; 14 die, 26 injured in rain-related incidents in KP province: PDMA
At least four people have died and 17 others went missing ater three boats capsized on Eid Al Adha day in Raghagan Dam in Bajaur district of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, local media reported on Thursday.
According to the details, a boat with at least 20 persons on board sank in Raghagan Dam when it went into deep waters on a recreational trip, the reports said. Soon ater the incident, two lifeboats carrying seven rescue personnel on board also sank in the dam when they rushed to rescue the drowning tourists, the reports added. During the operation, the KP disaster management and civil defence divers’ teams rescued 12 tourists and took out four bodies from the dam. The bodies and the rescued persons have been shited to a local hospital in Khar, Bajaur district.
Rescue 1122 Bajaur head Amjad Ali said that those recovered during the rescue operation have been discharged from the hospital whereas the funeral prayer of four was performed.
The rescue teams told local media that they were searching for the missing people, adding that there was almost no chance of their survival.
In a heroic act, a rescuer saved the lives of eight people from drowning in Raghagan Dam, risking his own life in the operation.
25-year-old Ismail, who works at KhyberPakhtunkhwa’s Civil Defence Department as a rescuer, not only saved the lives of people but also escorted them to a safe place.
Ismail while talking to local newmen said that when he heard about the sinking of a boat in the dam, he immediately reached the spot and started rescuing people from drowning.
“I saved the lives of eight people who were drowning and I am proud of what I did,” Ismail said ater the incident.
Search and rescue operation is underway by the army team and Rescue 1122. Four bodies have so far been recovered.
Zia Khan, an eyewitness, said that 18 people were on board and no one was wearing a safety jacket. He said that his brother, uncle, nephew and cousin were among the dead.
The reports quoted local police as saying that the first boat sunk due to overloading and the other two boats faced the accident as the rescue staff were not experienced and they failed to control the boats. Recently, the local government imposed section 144 on the Raghagan Dam due to the rising water levels. Wandering of people around the reservoir, swimming and boating was banned by the Deputy Commissioner of the Bajaur district. Despite the acknowledged threats of life loss, the tourist boats were allowed in owing to negligence on part of relevant authorities.
In a separate development, at least 14 people were killed and 26 injured in different rain-related incidents in across the KP province.
According to a report by Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, at least four houses were completely destroyed and 21 were partially damaged during the recent spell of heavy rains and floods.
The PDMA has directed the district administration of the affected districts to expedite the relief work.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall coupled with thunderstorm gusty winds in Abbottabad, Haripur, Mansehra, Batagram, Torghar, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Swat, Lower and Upper Dir, Bajaur, Malakand, Chitral, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Peshawar, Charsadda, Mohmand, Khyber, Kohat,hangu, Karak, Kurram, Orakzai, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, DI Khan, Tank, and South Waziristan districts.
It warned that moderate-heavy rainfall could generate flash floods in nullahs and streams of those districts and trigger landslides and urban flooding in different parts of the province.
Meanwhile, traffic on Karakoram Highway remained suspended for the second consecutive day on Thursday.
The road was blocked due to landsliding at various points from Goharabad to Lal Pari in Diamer. Work in Tata Pani is in progress.
The Karakoram Highway was also blocked near Khunjarab pass where a landsliding hit the road early on Thursday. The Gilgit-skardu road was also blocked in Astak Nallah.
Workers of Frontier Works Organisation are engaged in restoring traffic by removing debris from road sides.