A second boat accident within a few hours in Jalalpur Pirwala tehsil’s Mohana Sandila area claimed at least nine lives, including a child, after it capsized on Wednesday night. Rescue operations are ongoing to recover the remaining victims.
Two boats overturn within hours
According to police, the private boat carrying flood-hit families sank in Mohana Sandila after 28 passengers boarded it. Another boat had capsized in the same area a few hours earlier.
Police confirmed that 19 people were rescued immediately by locals in the latest accident, while eight passengers went missing in the accident. They said the flood victims were on their way to the city on private boats after not getting any official rescue assistance.
Bodies recovered so far
Rescue officials said that two bodies were pulled out on Thursday morning, raising the toll to three recovered so far, including that of a four-year-old child, Salman. His body was shifted to a nearby hospital.
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According to the surviving boatman, nine people drowned in the accident, while others were saved by villagers before official rescue teams could reach.
Boatman’s statement
A video statement from the boatman has surfaced, revealing that passengers had paid Rs2,000 each for the ride. The vessel sank when it reached Mohana Sandila, and no rescue teams arrived in time. He said the victims were flood-affected families seeking safety.
Rescue operation underway
Police and rescue officials confirmed that operations are ongoing to search for the remaining missing passengers. Locals have been actively participating in the efforts, as official rescue services initially faced delays reaching the site.
On Wednesday evening, a boat carrying 20 people had capsized during a rescue operation on Khanbela Road. According to officials, a 20-day-old baby girl lost her life in the accident. Rescue 1122 personnel managed to recover the infant from the water and shifted her to a hospital, but she could not survive.
The remaining 19 passengers on board were successfully rescued, authorities confirmed.
Other boat accidents during rescue
On the other hand, a boat carrying flood victims had also capsized in Darabpur village, Alipur, on Wednesday evening. According to rescue officials, the boat lost balance when an additional person tried to climb on. Thankfully, all passengers survived without injuries.
In Ahmedpur East, a private boat capsized near Bhakri, leaving four people drowned. According to rescue officials, all four managed to come out of the water on their own. The capsized boat was also pulled safely from the water.
Separately, a boat had capsized during a rescue operation in Noorwala village, Liaquatpur three days ago. The bodies of three missing people, including two women, were recovered, raising the death toll from the accident to eight.
Police confirmed that among those recovered were Zakia Bibi, Rafia Bibi, and Muhammad Hassan. Of the four people reported missing in the Noorwala accident three days ago, three have now been found.
So far, the number of people who have lost their lives in recent flood-related boat accidents has risen to ten. Search operations are still underway to locate Halima Bibi, who went missing in the floodwaters, and Faraz, who jumped in to save children during the tragedy.
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