The rescue operation after a boat capsized incident in the River Indus near Machhka yesterday resumed on Tuesday to search for survivors and dead bodies in the deadly incident. At least 21 dead bodies of people drowned in the River Indus near Machhka were retrieved yesterday after two boats with 94 members of a wedding party on board capsized in the river in Machhka Union Council of Sadiqabad Tehsil. According to police sources, two boats carrying a wedding party of around 150 people were coming from Rojhan to Machhka when one of them overturned.

The Rescue 1122 divers and district administration officials reached the site and, with the help of locals, rescued 45 passengers and retrieved the bodies of 21 others from the river. Some 28 passengers were still missing, and rescue teams resumed their search, which was stopped in the night owing to darkness and a dangerous area. According to reports, two passenger boats were overloaded with the members of a wedding party. One of the two boats capsized, and passengers on the other boat jumped into the water to help the people in the capsized boat. Local people tried to stabilise the boats with ropes, but several people were swept away by the fast-flowing, roaring Indus. The incident took place in the Sadiqabad district, about 350 kilometres (210 miles) south of Multan.

Credit:
Independent News Pakistan-INP