At least 20 dead, several persons missing as boat carrying wedding party capsizes near Machka in River Indus

RAHIM YAR KHAN, July 18 (SABAH): At least 20 people drowned on Monday while several others were missing after a boat capsized in the River Indus near Machka area of sub-district Sadiq Abad, approximately 65km away from district Rahim Yar Khan.

The boat, carrying a wedding party of over 100 people, was returning from Sardarpur area of Rajanpur to Machka when the incident occurred, Rahim Yar Khan Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza said.

The passengers, he said, belonged to the Solangi clan, adding that the boat capsized due to “overloading and high flow of water”.

The DC said that immediately after the incident was reported, 30 rescuers, five ambulances, and a water rescue van arrived at the spot.

“Nineteen dead bodies, all of women, have been pulled from the water while a search operation is underway for the remaining passengers,” he added. Majority of the people riding the boat have been rescued by the local people.