Four children died and another remains in critical condition after drowning in a small water reservoir in the Kotki area of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district on Sunday, according to Rescue 1122.

Rescue officials said five children, aged between five and eight years, were bathing in a mini dam when they drowned.

Upon receiving the alert, Rescue 1122 teams reached the site and launched a search and rescue operation. All five children were recovered from the water and shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Hangu.

Hospital authorities confirmed that four of the children were pronounced dead after medical examination, while the fifth child is receiving treatment in critical condition. According to rescue officials, two of the deceased children were brothers.

After completion of legal formalities, the bodies were handed over to Rescue 1122 ambulances and transported to the victims’ homes, the rescue service said.

Also Read: Families flock to Lahore canal despite swimming ban

The incident has renewed concerns over the lack of safety measures around ponds, canals and small dams in rural areas, where drowning accidents continue to claim lives, particularly among children.

Authorities have been urged to implement preventive measures and strengthen public awareness campaigns to avert similar tragedies.

The incident comes days after two people drowned while swimming in the Konraj River in the hilly Wandar region of Balochistan.

Meanwhile, despite a swimming ban and repeated warnings from authorities, large numbers of people continued to visit canals across Punjab during Eidul Azha.

Families, including women and children, gathered along canal banks, while young boys were seen diving into the water from elevated points.

District administrations had warned of legal action and fines against violators, but many residents continued to enter canals despite the risks and official restrictions.