Body of missing boy found 20 days after Pakistan’s Swat River tragedy

Authorities in Pakistan have recovered the body of a 13-year-old boy who had been missing for nearly three weeks after a deadly river accident in the country’s scenic Swat Valley -- a tragedy that claimed 13 lives and drew national attention to safety failures during the monsoon season.

According to a statement issued by Rescue 1122 on Thursday, the body of Abdullah was found on Wednesday during a search operation in the Ghalegay area, nearly 20 days after he and his family were swept away by a sudden flash flood in the Swat River. His identity was later confirmed by relatives.

Rescue 1122 said that 17 people -- all tourists -- had entered the river on June 27 when water levels appeared deceptively low. A sudden surge of water swept them into the powerful current. Only four people were rescued alive, the agency added.

Bystanders captured the terrifying scene on video, which went viral and intensified pressure on local authorities to explain the lapse in safety measures.

In the wake of public outcry, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government launched an inquiry. A comprehensive 63-page report submitted to KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur found serious negligence by at least four departments -- including the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, the Irrigation Department, Local Government, and Rescue 1122 itself.

The report blamed systemic failures in Pakistan’s disaster preparedness and early warning infrastructure. It revealed that flood advisories had not been implemented, and the early warning system failed to alert visitors in time. Officials said Section 144 -- a legal tool that prohibits access to hazardous zones during emergencies -- was not enforced.

Hotel operators were also faulted for failing to inform tourists of potential risks, and the absence of any classification system to evaluate the danger levels of riverside tourist sites was cited as a major oversight.

Rescue 1122, the provincial emergency service, was specifically criticized for its delayed response, lack of trained personnel and insufficient equipment.