SWAT: People from all walks of life took to the streets here on Saturday to protest deaths in the flooded river.

The tragedy struck as flash floods swept away around 17 tourists having breakfast by the Swat River.

Out of the visitors, 13 drowned after remaining stranded for around two hours.

Residents reached out to Rescue 1122, local administration and other departments but the late response led to several deaths.

Rescue teams recovered nine bodies the same day and three the next day.

Demand resignation of CM, registration of FIR against officials over ‘dereliction of duty’

When contacted, Rescue 1122 director general Shah Fahad said that the search operation had entered its second day on Saturday, with 120 personnel involved.

He said that 12 bodies had been found, while a search for the last missing individual was under way.

The Swat Olasi Pasoon and civil society members demonstrated at Nishat Chowk here against the delayed response of authorities to the call of stranded tourists for help.

Political activists, traders and lawyers also joined them, blaming the Swat River deaths on the negligence of the district administration and Rescue 1122.

They said that the late response of authorities to the stranding of tourists claimed many lives.

The protesters demanded the resignation of the chief minister, the dismissal of Swat’s deputy commissioner, administrative officers and Rescue 1122 officials and the registration of an FIR against them over deaths.

They also called for the introduction of a modern rescue system, with helicopter service, and an early flood warning system.

The protesters also voiced concerns about the growing riverbed mining in Swat, saying that the unchecked activity has altered the natural course of the Swat River, causing environmental damage and creating dangerous conditions for residents and visitors alike.

They demanded accountability over the flood-related deaths and improvement in disaster management and safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.

The mob later marched to the Swat Press Club, expressing dissatisfaction with the performance of the government and district administration.

Meanwhile, provincial chief secretary Shahab Ali Shah visited the site of the tragedy, held a meeting with administration officials and ordered them to take necessary measures to prevent such deaths in the future.

After tourist deaths triggered public outrage, the provincial government took swift action, transferring the deputy commissioner of Swat and suspending the assistant commissioners of Babuzai and Khwazakhela and the additional deputy commissioner of relief and human resources.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2025