A preliminary inquiry report into the Swat River tragedy has controversially placed primary blame on tourists but has also revealed that the river’s course had been deliberately altered due to ongoing construction work.

On the other hand, government representative Barrister Saif has said that the KP government had a helicopter for rescue operations, but it was small.

According to the report prepared by the Malakand Commissioner and submitted to the provincial investigation team, the water level at the incident site had receded, encouraging tourists to venture into what appeared to be a safe area.

However, the change in water flow, made to accommodate construction activity, significantly increased the danger.

The report states that the “Flood Contingency Plan 2025” was prepared in May, and relevant authorities had been placed on alert. Yet, despite prior warnings and planning, the deadly incident occurred — raising serious questions over the execution and enforcement of those measures.

Multiple weather alerts had been received and passed on to the concerned departments, the report confirms.

Officials had already been assigned emergency duties, and a decision to crack down on riverside encroachments was taken well before the floods.

Section 144 had been imposed in Malakand Division from June 2, banning swimming and boating in rivers.

However, the report noted that tourists were still able to access the area despite alerts and prohibitions, prompting questions about the failure of local enforcement and administrative oversight.

The report suggests that further investigation is needed into how the ban was violated and who among the district and tehsil administrations failed in their duties.

Action against responsible officials is expected to be decided in the coming days based on findings from the provincial inquiry.

Meanwhile, DG Rescue Shah Fahad appeared before the inquiry committee on Thursday.

He was questioned about his whereabouts during the incident and what steps were taken to rescue those trapped in the flooding.

In response, he said he was in Peshawar at the time, and rescue operations began across various parts of Swat on June 27.

He confirmed that dozens of individuals were rescued, and after receiving an emergency call at 9.45am, divers, boats, and rescue gear were immediately dispatched.

Separately, operations to remove illegal constructions along the riverbanks were temporarily halted.

So far, over 40 structures have been demolished. The boundary wall of a hotel owned by PML-N leader Amir Muqam was taken down, though the main building was spared.

Actions against properties owned by powerful individuals, including former governor Haji Ghulam Ali and PTI MNA Saleem Rehman’s relatives, have reportedly been delayed.

The deadline to vacate the wedding hall and fuel station belonging to the latter’s family has already passed.

As rescue operations continue, one tourist remains missing — with no body recovered even after seven days.

The public remains grief-stricken, demanding strict accountability and punishment for officials whose negligence contributed to the tragic incident.