As nation grapples with tragedy, prominent Pakistani celebrities take to social media to mourn the lives lost
The devastating drowning of at least 11 tourists in the Swat River on Friday — an incident captured in harrowing online videos showing a group stranded amidst rising floodwaters without timely rescue — has ignited widespread grief and fury across Pakistan.
As the nation grapples with the tragedy, a chorus of prominent Pakistani celebrities and athletes has taken to social media, expressing profound sorrow and vehemently criticising the perceived lack of safety measures and delayed emergency response.
The incident, which occurred around 8am on Friday near the Mingora area, saw 17 individuals, including women and children, swept away by a sudden surge in the river, triggered by heavy upstream rains.
Disturbing videos circulating online depicted the group on a shrinking island, gradually succumbing to the raging current as bystanders filmed, seemingly helpless, with no rescue boats or official presence for hours.
This shocking incident has left many questioning the preparedness of authorities.
The delayed and seemingly inadequate rescue operation drew immediate condemnation from Pakistan’s entertainment and sports fraternities, who used their platforms to mourn the lives lost and demand accountability.
Singer and actor Hadiqa Kiani expressed her deep sadness and questioned the systemic failures.
“Shocked and incredibly saddened by this tragedy. Praying for everyone impacted, praying that there is a solution to these terrible floods that hit our country,” she wrote on her instagram story, against an image showing the stranded tourists.
“We need systems that control the impact of rain. We need leadership,” she wrote, adding in a more scathing follow-up: “Every now and then we face these life-taking floods, and yet we take no solid measures. Why? These innocent lives paid the price of negligence. No weather forecast? No warnings? Do we have any system?”
DATE . July/7/2025
