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Rescue Boat Sinks In Pakistan Flood, Killing 17 From Wedding Party


Pakistanis affected by floods carry their belongings as they make their way to higher ground at a village in Jhang, in the central Punjab province, September 9, 2014.
Pakistanis affected by floods carry their belongings as they make their way to higher ground at a village in Jhang, in the central Punjab province, September 9, 2014.

Reports from Pakistan say at least 17 people drowned – including a bridegroom and two children -- when a rescue boat carrying a wedding party in flood-ravaged Punjab Province overturned.

The accident happened on September 14 when the boat went down in rough waters in the province's Muzaffargarh district.

Most of the passengers were from a wedding party that requested the use of the boat to take them to an Islamic wedding reception.

The distraught bride told a private Pakistani TV channel that she saved her life by holding on to an electricity pole.

Authorities say 22 people were rescued.

A search for other missing passengers was continuing on September 14.

Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain's office issued a statement expressing “profound grief and sorrow” about the tragedy.

Based on reporting by AFP and Samaa TV
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