Swat River tragedy: 9 dead, several missing after family of 18 swept away by surge

On the morning of June 27, 2025, a tragic accident occurred in Swat Valley when 18 members of a family from Sialkot were swept away by a sudden surge of water in the Swat River.

The family was having breakfast by the riverbank near the bypass when a flash flood hit due to heavy rains upstream. Rescue officials reported that four people were rescued alive while nine bodies have been recovered.

The search for the remaining eight family members is still ongoing. According to witnesses, some children were taking selfies near the river moments before the water suddenly rose. A surviving relative stated that rescuers arrived late, and by then it was too late to save those still visible in the water.

Rescue 1122 and local authorities quickly launched an operation, but high water levels and strong currents made the search difficult. Deputy Commissioner Swat, Shahzad Mehboob, confirmed that Section 144 is in place, which bans entering or bathing in the river, but many tourists still ignore these safety rules. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari both expressed deep sorrow and ordered immediate action to help the victims and prevent further tragedies. Senator Sherry Rehman also shared her condolences, calling the loss of lives “an irreparable tragedy.”

This heartbreaking event came after a night of heavy rainfall in Swat and Lower Dir, which caused rivers and drains to flood. In other rescue efforts, five people were saved in Lower Dir, including two children, two women, and an elderly man.

In Swat alone, 55 out of 70 stranded people have been rescued from rising waters. Authorities continue to urge the public and tourists to stay away from riverbanks during the monsoon season to avoid such disasters.