SWAT: At least seven tourists were killed after a boat capsized at Saifullah Lake on the Swat River, while two others were rescued, according to rescue officials.
Rescue 1122 Swat said emergency teams recovered seven bodies from the lake following the incident and shifted the victims to Kalam Hospital. Two passengers were rescued alive during the operation.
Emergency response teams and ambulances were dispatched immediately after Rescue 1122 received reports of the accident. Rescue personnel carried out a search operation at the site before recovering all victims.
What is known about the boat accident?
Authorities said the tourist boat overturned at Saifullah Lake, a popular destination in the Kalam area of Swat.
The district administration had earlier confirmed the recovery of five bodies and launched a search operation for four missing tourists. Rescue officials later confirmed that seven bodies had been recovered in total.
Officials have not yet disclosed the cause of the accident or the total number of passengers aboard the vessel.
What response did authorities launch?
Rescue 1122 deployed emergency teams, ambulances and rescue personnel immediately after receiving information about the incident.
The victims were transported to Kalam Hospital, while authorities continued to gather details regarding the circumstances that led to the boat capsizing.
No official statement has yet been issued regarding a formal investigation into the incident.
Why are drowning incidents a growing concern in Swat?
The latest tragedy adds to a series of fatal drowning incidents reported in the Swat region, particularly during the peak summer tourist season.
Last month, two women and a young girl from the same family were swept away by strong currents in the Jala Wanan area of Malakand district after the child reportedly slipped into the river. Rescue teams recovered one body, while another woman was rescued unconscious. The young girl remained missing.
In June 2025, at least 17 tourists lost their lives after a sudden rise in the Swat River’s water level swept them away.
Authorities have repeatedly urged tourists to avoid entering unsafe sections of rivers and lakes, comply with boating safety measures, and exercise caution around fast-flowing water during the summer season.