Flash floods in Pakistan kill at least 7 and sweep away dozens of tourists
Local residents look to the Swat River, which is overflowing due to pre-monsoon heavy rains in the area, on the outskirts of Mingora, the main town of Pakistan's Swat Valley, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Sherin Zada)
PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Flash floods triggered by pre-monsoon rains swept away dozens of tourists in northwest Pakistan on Friday, killing at least seven people.
The nationwide death toll from rain-related incidents rose to 17 over the past 24 hours, officials said.
Nearly 100 rescuers in various groups were searching for the missing tourists who were swept away while picnicking along the Swat River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said Shah Fahad, a spokesman for the provincial emergency service.
He said 16 members from the same family were among the dead or missing.
Fahad said divers had so far rescued seven people and recovered seven bodies after hours-long efforts and the search continued for the remaining victims.
Videos circulating on social media showed about a dozen people stranded on a slightly elevated spot in the middle of the Swat River, crying for help amid rapidly rising floodwaters.
Fahad urged the public to adhere strictly to earlier government warnings about possible flash flooding in the Swat River, which runs through the scenic Swat Valley — a popular summer destination for tens of thousands of tourists who visit the region in summer and winter alike.
Elsewhere, at least 10 people were killed in rain-related incidents in eastern Punjab and southern Sindh provinces over the past 24 hours, according to rescue officials.
Weather forecasters say rains will continue this week. Pakistan's annual monsoon season runs from July through September.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his deep sorrow and grief over the deaths of the tourists swept away by the floods in the Swat River. In a statement, he directed authorities to strengthen safety measures near rivers and streams.
Heavy rains have battered parts of Pakistan since earlier this week, blocking highways and damaging homes.
Still, weather forecasters say the country will receive less rain compared with 2022 when the climate-induced downpour swelled rivers and inundated one-third of Pakistan at one point , killing 1,739.
Riaz Khan, The Associated Press
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
11 hours ago
- CTV News
Flash floods in Pakistan kill at least 7 and sweep away dozens of tourists
Local residents look to the Swat River, which is overflowing due to pre-monsoon heavy rains in the area, on the outskirts of Mingora, the main town of Pakistan's Swat Valley, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Sherin Zada) PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Flash floods triggered by pre-monsoon rains swept away dozens of tourists in northwest Pakistan on Friday, killing at least seven people. The nationwide death toll from rain-related incidents rose to 17 over the past 24 hours, officials said. Nearly 100 rescuers in various groups were searching for the missing tourists who were swept away while picnicking along the Swat River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said Shah Fahad, a spokesman for the provincial emergency service. He said 16 members from the same family were among the dead or missing. Fahad said divers had so far rescued seven people and recovered seven bodies after hours-long efforts and the search continued for the remaining victims. Videos circulating on social media showed about a dozen people stranded on a slightly elevated spot in the middle of the Swat River, crying for help amid rapidly rising floodwaters. Fahad urged the public to adhere strictly to earlier government warnings about possible flash flooding in the Swat River, which runs through the scenic Swat Valley — a popular summer destination for tens of thousands of tourists who visit the region in summer and winter alike. Elsewhere, at least 10 people were killed in rain-related incidents in eastern Punjab and southern Sindh provinces over the past 24 hours, according to rescue officials. Weather forecasters say rains will continue this week. Pakistan's annual monsoon season runs from July through September. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his deep sorrow and grief over the deaths of the tourists swept away by the floods in the Swat River. In a statement, he directed authorities to strengthen safety measures near rivers and streams. Heavy rains have battered parts of Pakistan since earlier this week, blocking highways and damaging homes. Still, weather forecasters say the country will receive less rain compared with 2022 when the climate-induced downpour swelled rivers and inundated one-third of Pakistan at one point , killing 1,739. Riaz Khan, The Associated Press
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Canada continues to see decline in visitors
Vancouver Watch It may not feel like summer in parts of B.C., but make no mistake: Tourism season is underway.
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Globe and Mail
The Tourism Industry Development Conference in Heilongjiang Province Fuels High-quality Tourism Development
FUYUAN, China, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At dawn, at Fuyuan's Dongji Pavilion on a hilltop, tourists are holding their breaths as they wait for a breathtaking sunrise. Soon, the banner of the 7th Tourism Industry Development Conference in Heilongjiang Province will fly high in China's easternmost city. A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. At this very moment, Fuyuan is unfolding its charm to welcome guests from all over the world. At the Shell Beach Camp, a new facility popular among young people, the river gently kisses the shoreline, and the white sand beach beckons vacationers. At the Wild Bear Park on Heixiazi Island, cubs playing in the water with their moms vividly portrays the harmony between man and nature. At the Cranberry Base that resembles a massive sea of rubies, the blend of agriculture and sightseeing draws a large number of visitors. Optimizing port facilities and streamlining customs clearance, the conference motivates the city to boost port services and foster an important hub for regional collaboration in Northeast Asia. The conference has been successfully staged in Harbin, Yichun, Heihe, Mudanjiang, Daqing, and Qiqihar. This year, the baton is passed to Fuyuan, a jurisdiction of Jiamusi. For the people of Heilongjiang, the conference has been an essential event ever since the Party Committee and the Government of Heilongjiang chose a host city every year since 2018. Now, the 7th session is around the corner. City after city, the conference has greatly enhanced the tourism infrastructure, public service system, and economic and social development, stimulating new ideas, concepts, and measures for the future. As a result, more and more tourists put Heilongjiang on their destination list. According to the Heilongjiang Bureau of Statistics, the province welcomed 282.398 million tourists in 2024 (a year-on-year growth of 29.1%), who spent 370.12 billion yuan (a year-on-year growth of 67.1%). This year, the conference will uphold the principles of "simple, safe, and exciting," adopt the theme of "creating new momentum for integration, sharing new opportunities in tourism," build platforms for tourism cooperation, innovative application, and consumption upgrading, improve market-oriented operation, standardized construction, well-regulated management, and intelligent practice in tourism, and unlock potential in spending. At the end of the day, the conference is expected to help the city thrive and benefit the community.
