A tragic boat capsizing incident in Khushab’s Noorpur Thal tehsil has left four teenagers rescued and six still missing, as reported by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). The incident occurred on Tuesday, with all those involved being between 14 and 16 years old.
According to a statement from the Punjab PDMA spokesperson, the rescue team arrived promptly at the scene and initiated a search operation. “Four youths have been rescued, and the search for the remaining six is ongoing,” the statement confirmed.
Punjab PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia has instructed the Khushab Deputy Commissioner Zeeshan Shabbir Rana to expedite the rescue operation. Kathia also emphasized the need for strict legal action against those responsible for putting the teenagers on the boat without life jackets.
The teenagers were reported to be from the rural village of Pelowaince. This incident highlights a recurring issue in Pakistan, where overloaded and poorly maintained boats often lead to mass drownings. Such tragedies are not uncommon, with previous incidents including an April drowning where eight people perished when a boat capsized in the Indus River near Kund Park in Nowshera.
Additionally, similar tragedies have occurred across the border, with a boat capsizing in Indian-held Kashmir in May, resulting in the deaths of a woman and five children, and another incident in Mandi Bahauddin district where six family members drowned in the Jhelum River.
The ongoing search and rescue efforts in Khushab underscore the urgent need for improved safety measures and regulations for passenger boats to prevent future tragedies.
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