Over the span of three days during Eid celebrations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, tragic incidents of boat capsizing and drowning claimed the lives of at least 18 individuals, while dozens more were fortunate to be rescued in time.
Officials from Rescue 1122 shared with The Express Tribune that these distressing events unfolded in the districts of Charsadda, Nowshera, and Kohat, where throngs of people had gathered along riverbanks for picnics, marking the festive occasion.
Despite clear directives issued by both the district administration and provincial government forbidding swimming or bathing in rivers and water reservoirs, tragedies happened anew, echoing the sorrow of previous years’ fatalities.
While some local residents refrained from immersing themselves in the waters, others couldn’t resist the allure of boating and boat rides. Regrettably, this disregard for safety protocols led to several boats capsizing, as owners often prioritized profits over passengers’ well-being by overloading vessels beyond capacity.
In Nowshera’s Kund Park alone, the toll was devastating, with 10 lives lost to a capsized boat, while only three fortunate souls were rescued.
Similarly, in the Khayli River, six individuals perished attempting to swim, despite lacking proficient skills in aquatic navigation. In Kohat, the tranquility of Tanda Dam was shattered by the loss of two lives, as individuals defied warnings against bathing.
Amidst the grief and loss, Zahid Chanzeb, Adviser to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Tourism and Culture, lauded the swift response of Rescue 1122 in attending to the boat capsizing incident near Kund Rest House, along the Kabul River’s confluence. Expressing hope for the safe recovery of a missing infant, efforts persist in the ongoing search and rescue mission.
He expressed the confidence that the infant baby who went missing by drowning in this accident will also be recovered soon, for which the search and rescue operation is going on diligently.
In a commendatory statement, Chanzeb hailed the valor of Rescue 1122 and local communities for their collective efforts in rescuing seven out of eight individuals, underscoring the invaluable preservation of human life.
He extended accolades to the relief and rescue department for their deployment of divers and medical teams across various water tourism sites, including Nowshera, Charsadda, Swat, Kalam, Bahrain, Nathyagli, Haripur, Kohat and Hangu on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
He emphasized the importance of collaborative endeavors among tourism, relief, and local administrative bodies in ensuring visitors’ safety and satisfaction.
Asserting the provincial government’s commitment to enhancing tourism safety year-round, Chanzeb emphasized the optimal utilization of resources towards this end.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 13th, 2024.
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