A rescue boat carrying flood-affected families capsized in the Chenab River near Jalalpur Pirwala’s Wacha Sandila area on Saturday, leaving six people dead, including a woman and five children.

Rescue officials confirmed that the deceased include 80-year-old Bakht Bibi, six-year-old Fatima, seven-year-old Amir, three-year-old Mahnoor, and two infants aged just six months.

According to initial reports, more than 20 people, mostly women and children, were on board when the rescue boat overturned.

Several passengers were pulled to safety, but search operations are underway to recover those still missing.

Rescue 1122 said the boat was transporting flood victims to safer locations when the mishap occurred. Divers and emergency teams remain on-site, continuing efforts despite strong currents in the river.

The tragedy has plunged the local community into mourning. Authorities have directed rescue teams to intensify operations and deploy all available resources to recover the missing and provide relief to the affected families.