51 dead following Pakistan boating tragedy

Fifty-one people were killed after a tour boat capsized and sank in northwestern Pakistan on Sunday, January 29.

The incident occurred when a wooden boat with 56 passengers, most of whom were young boys aged seven to 14, went on a day trip in Tanda Lake, a popular tourist attraction in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The vessel then capsized, and the incident has been attributed by local officials to overloading.

A police spokesperson told AFP that the boat only had capacity for 25 people.

The search and rescue operation began on Sunday and ended on Tuesday, January 31. Reports said there are only five survivors, which also included an adult teacher, while one other passenger is still missing.

The 51 fatalities included 49 children, another teacher, and the boat’s captain, who was also its owner.

An official said the captain had failed to provide lifejackets to the passengers before the capsizing occurred.