In a tragic incident, at least 19 people have died of drowning in the Indus River after the boat they were travelling on capsized, Aaj News reported on Monday. All the bodies recovered so far are of women.

The incident took place near Machchka in Sadiqabad district. The area’s assistant commissioner confirmed that the rescue and recovery effot was underway, with the bodies recovered so far of women.

Rescuers pulled out another 16 more bodies from the Indus River, which took the death toll to 19.

Rescuers said that the boat was carrying between 50 to 70 people. The search for the remaining bodies and survivors is continuing, they added.