Eid proves deadly for K-P holidaymakers

At least 10 die in drowning incidents; speeding, one-wheeling kill many more

PESHAWAR/CHARSADDA:

The Eid holidays in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have been marred by a series of tragic incidents resulting in the loss of multiple lives.

Reports suggest that at least 10 people lost their lives due to drowning incidents in different parts of the province, while Peshawar alone saw eight fatalities due to drowning, road accidents, and one-wheeling.

On Eid day, three people lost their lives in separate drowning incidents in canals, nullahs, and a swimming pool on the outskirts of Peshawar.

Authorities have repeatedly warned people to take precautions while enjoying the holiday, particularly in and around water bodies.

Unfortunately, these warnings often go unheeded, leading to tragic accidents.

Despite the district administration’s efforts to enforce a ban on bathing in rivers without protective gear, many people continue to flout these rules, resulting in avoidable loss of life.

Local communities have also been calling for more proactive measures to ensure the safety of holidaymakers, such as deploying police along popular rivers and nullahs.

Some NGOs have tried to step in by providing life jackets to tourists, but their efforts are limited by a lack of resources and support from the government.

Rescue 1122 told The Express Tribune that a child downed in a canal on Charsadda Road.

Local residents called Rescue 1122 who initiated a search operation and found the body.

Similarly, another child slipped into a nullah in Choha Gujjar village and his body was yet to be fished out despite the passage of two days.

A young man drowned in a swimming pool on the second day of Eid.

“Despite the warnings issued by the district administration, this year is no different from the previous one as people naturally head to rivers and nullahs for a picnic on Eid and since the weather is really hot they try to take a bath in the rivers which often lead to deaths and mishaps,” said Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Faizi.

A local elder of Charsadda said that every year they demand the government to deploy police along the riverbanks as thousands visit the Sardaryab River during Eid holidays but without any results.

“We have asked the district administration to enforce ban on bathing and arrest those who violate it but all in vain,” he said.

In addition to the risk of drowning, forest fires are also a recurring issue during the Eid holidays due to people lighting fires in forests and hills.

To prevent this, the Deputy Commissioner of Orakzai has imposed a 30-day ban on the use of fire in forest areas, citing reports of possible forest fires caused by burning grass, smoking, and cooking during picnics.

Any person found contravening the order would be penalized under section 188 CrPC.

The Deputy Commissioner has urged the public to cooperate with the ban and take steps to protect the environment.

It is crucial for everyone to prioritize safety and responsible behavior during the holidays to avoid further loss of life and damage to the natural surroundings.