Seven people are confirmed dead while another two have been reported as missing after a boat carrying tourists capsized in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northern Pakistan on Wednesday, July 1.
The unidentified vessel was transiting Saifullah Lake in the Kalam Valley with nine passengers on board. Authorities said the passengers were all members of the same family.
Local officials immediately deployed search and rescue (SAR) teams to the area upon receiving a distress call. Tragically, the bodies of seven deceased individuals have since been pulled out of the lake, as confirmed by an official of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism and Culture Authority.
SAR teams and local residents are continuing to comb the surrounding waters for any sign of the missing passengers.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has meanwhile ordered that those responsible be held accountable if it is proven that negligence had been a contributing factor in the tragedy.
The Kalam Valley, where the incident occurred, is a popular tourist destination that has become known for its mountains and forests.
Baird Maritime tracks global passenger vessel accidents in its comprehensive database, which can be accessed here.