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At least 51 people died in the accident in the Kohat region of north-west Pakistan
Photo: Hussain Ali / AA / picture alliance
After a boat accident in north-west Pakistan, the death toll has risen to 51.
Among the victims were 49 boys between the ages of seven and 14, police said.
The students of a local Koran school had been on an excursion.
The bodies of a teacher and a helmsman were also recovered, and five people were saved.
The completely overcrowded boat capsized on the Tanda reservoir on Sunday.
"The water was icy due to the cold weather, which made the rescue operation difficult," said Khateer Ahmad, a rescue service representative.
Ship designed only for 20 to 25 people
Muhammad Umar, who sells tea and snacks at the popular excursion destination, reported on dozens of parents and relatives who have been at the scene of the accident since Sunday.
"Every time a victim was sighted, they would rush to the divers to see if it was their son and every time we would hear them screaming in pain and agony," he told AFP over the phone on Tuesday.
He had never seen such scenes in his life.
According to a police spokesman, the ship was only approved for 20 to 25 people.
Deadly shipwrecks happen again and again in Pakistan.
Many boats are ailing and often carry more passengers than allowed.
Also, many people in the country cannot swim.
Also on Sunday, a bus crashed into a ravine in Pakistan.
At least 41 people died in the accident in the southwestern province of Balochistan.
lmd/AFP
