Seven people were killed on Wednesday when a tourist boat capsized at Saifullah Lake in Pakistan’s northwestern Kalam valley, an official said, as authorities search for other missing persons.
Rescue Operation Launched Immediately
Rescue 1122 emergency service said in a report that it launched a rescue operation at the lake immediately after being alerted that the boat had capsized. It said six bodies had been retrieved from the lake and sent to Kalam Hospital. However, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Tourism and Culture Authority stated that seven people had died in the incident. It did not share details about the circumstances.
Official Statement on Casualties
“A boat capsized today at Saifullah Lake in Kalam, leaving seven people dead,” said Saad bin Awais, media director at the KP Tourism Authority. “Search operations are underway to locate the remaining missing individuals.”
Chief Minister Expresses Grief and Orders Probe
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi expressed grief and took notice of the accident, according to a statement from his office. “The chief minister has sought an immediate report from the relevant authorities and directed that action be taken against those responsible if any negligence or lapse is established,” the Chief Minister’s Office said. The chief minister also directed rescue authorities to continue search operations to recover a missing girl.
Saifullah Lake: A Popular Tourist Destination
The alpine lake is located in Pakistan’s northwestern Kalam town in Swat Valley, one of the most popular tourist spots in the country. Thousands of foreign tourists visit Kalam each year to enjoy its towering mountains, meadows, and forests.
