At least 18 tourists, including women and children, were swept away by flash floods in Swat’s River at Fizagat on Friday. Rescue teams have recovered 9 bodies so far, including two children.

The victims, from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, were having breakfast near the riverbank when a sudden surge in water flow trapped them. Eyewitnesses criticized authorities for delayed rescue efforts, stating victims were stranded for nearly two hours before being swept away.

Deputy Commissioner Swat, Shahzad Mehboob, confirmed 73 people were trapped across multiple locations, with rescue operations facing challenges.