One missing, six injured after glacier burst in Swat’s Kalam

SWAT: A search operation was under way on Saturday for a man who went missing after a glacier burst in the Matiltan area of Kalam Valley in Upper Swat, while six other people were injured in the incident, Rescue 1122 said.

The incident took place a couple of days earlier, but it was reported after the surviving members of the group returned to the main Kalam bazaar. The missing man was identified as Syed Ali Shah, a resident of Khwazakhela. His companions believe he is dead, though his body had not been recovered.

Rahimullah, one of the expedition members, said Shah was serving as a local guide for the six-member team. He said severe weather and a snowstorm forced the group to leave Shah’s body at the site.

Upper Swat Deputy Commissioner Sohail Khan said the district administration had coordinated with all relevant departments and had formally sought helicopter support as well as other professional assistance from the competent authorities for the recovery effort.