Death toll from boat capsize in northwest Pakistan rises to 41

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) – Divers recovered 11 more bodies of Islamic seminary students from a dam in northwest Pakistan, bringing the death toll from Sunday's boat accident to 41, an official and local media reported on Tuesday.

At least 57 students, the majority of whom were in their teens, were drowned when a boat capsized at Tanda Dam in Kohat district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday.

"Divers have so far fished out another body today (Tuesday), while the search operation for others (survivors or dead) continues," Kohat Police spokesman Fazal Naeem told Anadolu over the phone.

Divers were able to save seven children alive on Sunday, Naeem said.

He did, however, acknowledge that the chances of any survivor are slim.

Some 57 students of a religious seminary were on a recreational visit, and took a boat ride, the head of the seminary Shahid Anwar said, adding that his son and a nephew are among the dead, local broadcaster Geo News reported.

Earlier, authorities provided contradictory figures for the number of students on board. They initially reported 25 students on board, but later reported 40.

The search for any remaining survivors or victims would continue on Tuesday, he added.

Tanda Dam is a popular recreational spot in Kohat, attracting hundreds of visitors each day.