Rescuers deployed to prevent drownings in canals, rivers
Paramedic Technician Rescue 1122 Tauqeer Ahmed pictured while providing first aid to the one-year-old, in Rawalpindi on Dec. 1. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Rescue 1122 has launched an initiative for community safety on Sunday, in view of the increasing numbers of drownings in canals and rivers.
On the special instructions of District Emergency Officer (DEO) Engineer Naveed Iqbal, rescuers are being deployed along canals and at the picnic points in Head marala. Rescuers will be patrolling to prevent drownings by prohibiting people from bathing in canals and rivers, said rescue officials.
DEO Iqbal especially appealed to parents to not let their children go to the canals alone and urged the general public to avoid bathing in the canals. Should anyone violate these orders, they will face legal action, said DEO.
Meanwhile, two men drowned in the Chenab River near Khaasa village while bathing on Sunday. According to a Rescue spokesperson, 25-year-old Nadeem and 18-year-old Altaf drowned in the river’s deep water. Nadeem was a resident of Bahawalnagar, while Altaf was the resident of Faisalabad, said officials. Rescue 1122 divers have launched a search operation to find the bodies.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2023.