South Punjab is reeling under a wave of tragic boat capsizing incidents during ongoing flood rescue operations, leaving around 30 people dead and several others missing. Most victims include children, women, and the elderly.
Spike in accidents during rescue efforts
In flood-hit districts including Jalalpur Pirwala, Liaquatpur, Minchinabad, Alipur, and Uch Sharif, about 10 separate incidents of boats overturning have been reported. Rescue teams say these tragedies occurred as they worked to evacuate thousands stranded by the rising waters.
So far, more than 30 lives have been lost, while over eight people remain missing. Search operations are underway to locate them.
Rescue DG defends operations
Speaking about the situation, Rescue DG and Emergency Services Secretary Dr. Rizwan explained that such 'minor' accidents, while tragic, are inevitable during large-scale operations.
“When 320,000 people are evacuated, and there are floods in three rivers at the same time, the number of such accidents is very few. If the disaster is this big, such minor accidents can happen,” he maintained.
Around 30 lives lost as rescue boats capsized in southern #Punjab, with 8+ still missing.
— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) September 12, 2025
Women, children & elderly among the dead.
DG Rescue downplays incidents, calling them “minor” compared to the scale of evacuations.#SamaaTV #Floods #Punjab #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/UM6gtxZXYc
Provincial ministers claim public panic
Provincial leaders also weighed in, blaming panic and lack of discipline among flood-affected residents. Provincial Ministers Rana Sikandar Hayat and Malik Sohaib Ahmed Barth noted that when boats arrive, some trapped people rush in recklessly.
“When a boat arrives, people trapped in the flood try to get onto it in excitement. They do not listen to anyone,” the ministers remarked.
Ongoing challenges in flood response
Authorities say many of the deceased were children, women, and elderly people, who were unable to withstand the strong water currents when the boats capsized. With three rivers flooding simultaneously, the pressure on rescue operations remains overwhelming.
