The death toll from the devastating Swat River incident climbed to 11 on Saturday after Rescue 1122 recovered the body of another child. Two members of the same family remain missing, as rescue efforts entered a second consecutive day.
The tragedy occurred on Friday when 17 members of a family from Sialkot, enjoying a riverside picnic, were swept away by a sudden surge in water. Four people were rescued alive shortly after the incident, but many were caught in the powerful current before help could arrive.
Rescue 1122 Director General confirmed that the search operation is ongoing in Khwazakhela, Kabal Bypass, and Barikot, with more than 120 rescue personnel from Swat, Malakand, and Shangla participating. Boats, divers, and modern scanning equipment are being used to comb the riverbanks and deeper water channels.
Amid growing public outrage, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government suspended Swat Deputy Commissioner Shahzad Mahboob for alleged negligence and failure to enforce preventive safety measures. KP Chief Minister’s spokesperson, Faraz Ahmad Mughal, said an inquiry committee has been formed to investigate the incident and recommended a complete crackdown on illegal encroachments along the river. The district administration has been instructed to demolish all unauthorised structures within three days, while all hotels in the region will now be permanently registered for improved oversight.
In a significant step, the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also imposed a complete ban on sand and mineral excavation from the Swat River, citing environmental degradation and the risk it poses to public safety. He directed immediate removal of all encroachments along the riverbank.
The tragedy has triggered widespread protests across Swat. Demonstrators, including members of Pasoon—a youth-led civil society group—staged a protest outside the Swat Press Club, demanding environmental protection, tighter regulation of tourist zones, and accountability for official lapses.
Political pressure on the provincial government continues to mount. Dr Haider Ali Khan, former MNA and local PPP leader, called for the resignation of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, saying the tragedy stemmed from gross neglect and mismanagement. At a press conference, he said, “The Chief Minister must accept responsibility and resign.”
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also strongly criticised the provincial government’s delayed response, calling the incident a “man-made disaster caused by administrative incompetence.”
As grieving families await the return of their loved ones, the Swat River tragedy has exposed critical failures in disaster preparedness, environmental management, and governance. What began as a family picnic has turned into a national reckoning, with citizens demanding justice, accountability, and urgent reform.