Two female tourists injured in a boat capsize at Saifullah Lake in Kalam died while being transferred to Saidu Sharif Hospital after a Rescue 1122 ambulance allegedly ran out of fuel en route, prompting protests by local residents who accused authorities of negligence.
Incident Details
The victims were members of a family from Lahore visiting Swat when their boat capsized at Saifullah Lake. Several people drowned in the incident, while a 17-year-old girl remained missing as search operations continued. According to residents, the two women were rescued alive and taken to Civil Hospital Kalam before being referred to Saidu Sharif Hospital for specialised treatment.
Allegations of Negligence
Protesters alleged that the Rescue 1122 ambulance carrying the injured women ran out of fuel during the journey, delaying their transfer and contributing to their deaths. They also claimed rescue teams arrived late, forcing local residents to conduct rescue efforts, and alleged that Kalam Hospital lacked electricity and a female doctor when the victims were brought there.
Protests and Demands
Residents staged demonstrations outside Kalam Hospital and the office of the Additional Assistant Commissioner in Bahrain, demanding an independent inquiry and action against officials if negligence is established. They urged the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to investigate the incident.
Official Response
District Emergency Officer Shoaib Mansoor did not respond to repeated requests for comment before the filing of this report, and the allegations could not be independently verified. Rescue officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the allegation.
