Two youths drown in Hafizabad canal

HAFIZABAD: Two young men drowned in a canal near Chatha Dad on Wednesday, according to rescue officials, in an incident that left residents of the area grieving.

Rescue 1122 officials identified the victims as Ahsan, son of Sikandar Hayat, and Muhammad Abdullah. Both were residents of Mohallah Sharifpura in Hafizabad, officials said.

According to Rescue 1122, the two had gone to a feeder canal to collect water from a hand pump installed on the canal bank. Eyewitnesses said that while they were there, the youths entered the canal to swim.

Witnesses told rescuers that the current in the canal was strong and the water level was high. The two young men were unable to keep control in the water and were swept away.

After receiving information about the incident, Rescue 1122 teams reached the site and began a search operation, officials said.

Rescue authorities said efforts to recover the bodies were continuing until the filing of the report.

Search operation underway

Officials said rescue teams remained engaged in the operation after the drowning was reported on Wednesday. No further details were provided in the report about the duration of the search or whether the bodies had been recovered by the time it was filed.

The incident occurred near Chatha Dad and involved two residents of Hafizabad’s Mohallah Sharifpura, according to Rescue 1122. Eyewitness accounts cited by rescuers indicated that the combination of a strong current and elevated water level contributed to the drowning.

The deaths prompted sorrow in the local community, rescue officials said.