The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has eliminated the general director of Rescue KP and the general director of the High Swat Development Authority after the recent drowning of tourists on the Swat River, authorities said Tuesday.
The provincial inspection team presented a report that blamed the SWAT Development Authority for administrative delays, he reported Express news.
The report also raised concerns about the lack of technical experience of DG rescue in the management of such emergencies.
The incident, in which several tourists drowned due to a delayed rescue operation, had already led the provincial government to suspend six officers before.
Read: The wave of sudden water caused a swat tragedy
As part of the last action, KP Rescue DG services have been delivered to the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA), while the DG of the SWAT Development Authority has been eliminated from its seat and assigned a non -operational role, effectively eliminating it from active administrative tasks.
Findings of the commissioner
The decisions follow a detailed report presented by the Malakand commissioner to an investigation committee that investigates the mismanagement of the rescue operation.
Swat drowning have caused criticism for the lack of emergency preparation in the region, especially during maximum tourist seasons.
Read more: Construction along the diverted water flow by the SWAT River, the leading tourists in danger: Report
The disciplinary action of the provincial government underlines the growing concerns about tourism security and the mechanisms of response to the crisis in the area.
According to official reports, 17 tourists, 10 Sialkot, six from Mardan and a resident, were trapped in floods after entering the river in Khwazakhela despite visible risks.
Four tourists were rescued, while 12 bodies were recovered. Rescue efforts for a missing person are ongoing.
The Provincial Authority for Disaster Management (PDMA) described the level of flood as “very high.” The sudden increase raised the flow of the Swat River from 6,738 to 77,782 Cusecs in a matter of hours, leaving a few chances that those trapped return to a safe place.
Also read: DC Swat eliminated, four officials suspended
An investigation revealed that the close construction along the river had altered its natural flow, causing deceptively low levels of water on the site.
This cheated tourists and entered the river. According to the reports, a security guard of the hotel tried to stop them, but ignored the main entrance and agreed to the river through the back. Within the 14 minutes after the entrance, the increase in water levels caused a call of anguish at 9.45 am
The rescue teams arrived at 10.05 am 20 minutes after the call. Before the incident, the irrigation department had issued early flooding alerts at 8.41 am
Formal warnings were sent to Swat, Charsadda and Nowshera, as well as PDMA and other relevant authorities. A formal flood alert followed at 10.30 am
The report indicated that section 144, which prohibits swimming and navigation on the Swat River, had been imposed as of June 24, but the application remained Lax.
