PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Flash floods triggered by pre-monsoon rains swept away dozens of tourists in northwest Pakistan on Friday, killing at least seven people.
The nationwide death toll from rain-related incidents rose to 17 over the past 24 hours, officials said.
Nearly 100 rescuers in various groups were searching for the missing tourists who were swept away while picnicking along the Swat River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said Shah Fahad, a spokesman for the provincial emergency service.
He said 16 members from the same family were among the dead or missing.
Fahad said divers had so far rescued seven people and recovered seven bodies after hours-long efforts and the search continued for the remaining victims.
