KASUR: Four minor children of a family were feared drowned while as many members of the family were rescued after a boat capsized in the river Ravi near village Jagda Chak on the border of Kasur and Nankana Sahib, about three kilometers from Head Baloki on Sunday.

According to the Rescue 1122, eight members of a family, including four children from the age group of two-and-a-half years to 12 years, were crossing the river in a boat. As the rickety boat reached the middle of the river, the water started accumulating in it. The boat capsized and its riders fell into the river.

The Rescue 1122 rushed to the spot and took four family members out. However, four minor children were feared drowned. The children were identified as Noor Fatima (12), Jawad (9), Ayan (6) and Arslan (5). Those rescued were identified as three siblings, two-and-a-half years old Meerab, Sidra (16), Humaira (26), and their relative Allaha Ditta (35) who was operating the boat.

The children and teenagers were cousins belonging to Phoolnagar in Kasur and Nankana Sahib. The children of both the families gathered and decided to visit their maternal uncle across the river when the fatal incident happened.

The bodies of the deceased could not be found despite hectic efforts by the rescuers. The search for the bodies was halted due to darkness at night. It would be restarted in the morning.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2022