The official inquiry into the Swat River tragedy has been submitted by the Commissioner of Malakand Division to the Provincial Inspection Team.
The report blames construction work and weak safety enforcement for the disaster. On June 27, a flash flood swept away 17 people, killing 12. One person is still missing.
Investigators found that embankment construction changed the river’s natural path. This made the water appear shallow where tourists entered.
Seventeen people, including 10 from Sialkot and six from Mardan, entered the Swat River at 9:31 am. Just 14 minutes later, a sudden surge in water—caused by upstream rain and altered flow—dragged them away.
Rescue teams arrived at 10:05 am. They saved four people and recovered 12 bodies. Search for the last missing person has continued for seven days.
CCTV footage and hotel records confirmed the timeline. A hotel guard tried to stop the tourists, but they bypassed security and entered the river from the rear.
The report states that the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) had issued a weather warning on June 23. It also imposed a ban on swimming and boating through Section 144 earlier in the month.
Despite alerts and plans, the report highlights poor coordination. Key district officers failed to enforce safety rules.
Following the findings, several officials were suspended. These include the Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioners, and Emergency Officers.
In response, the Chief Secretary of KP banned all river mining in the Swat District.
The Swat River tragedy is part of a larger concern. At least 75 people have died in recent flooding across Swat.
The Peshawar High Court has ordered a full report on safety and removal of riverbank encroachments. A final investigation report is expected soon.
The rescue operation in Swat River enters sixth day as authorities continue searching for the missing tourist. Meanwhile, the anti-encroachment drive remains temporarily paused amid ongoing investigations.
