16 of a family perish in Swat crash

PESHAWAR:

Sixteen members of a family - including men, women, and children - were killed and seven others injured when a truck carrying them to warmer areas for the winter overturned near Tunnel No. 3 on the Malakand–Swat Motorway.

According to initial reports, all the victims belonged to the Kalam Gabral area of Swat district. The nomadic family had been migrating seasonally and was en route to Faisalabad due to the falling temperatures in Swat.

Upon receiving information about the accident, the Rescue 1122 Malakand medical response team immediately rushed to the scene along with ambulances. Motorway Police and other personnel were also present at the site and took part in the rescue operations.

During the joint operation, Motorway Police and rescue workers shifted some of the injured and deceased to Batkhela District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital using their own vehicles, while Rescue 1122 teams transported the remaining victims to the same hospital.

Upon arrival, doctors confirmed the deaths of 16 people and provided medical aid to seven injured persons, four of whom were later referred to Swat in critical condition.

The accident was extremely severe, but due to the timely and professional response of Rescue 1122, further loss of life was prevented.

The bodies of the deceased were transported to their native area in Kalam where funeral prayers were offered. The funeral drew thousands of mourners, and the scene was deeply emotional, with many people in tears. They were later laid to rest.

The entire area is in mourning, and a somber atmosphere prevails throughout the region.