Tragedy in Dukki: Four Sisters Drown in Anmbar River

A heart-wrenching incident unfolded in Balochistan’s Dukki district, where four young sisters lost their lives in a Dukki river drowning tragedy. The girls were bathing in the Anmbar River when they suddenly slipped into deeper waters. Despite immediate efforts by local residents, all four were found dead.

Family Outing Turns Tragic

The victims, identified as Zarkana Bibi (11), Khatoon Bibi (8), Freija Bibi (7), and Sawa Bibi (5), were daughters of Baram Khan Buzdar, a resident of Lakhi Loni village. On Friday afternoon, the sisters had gone to the Anmbar River to cool off in the water during the hot summer day. What started as an innocent family outing turned into a devastating loss.

Locals Act Quickly but Too Late

According to Levies Force officials, the tragic event occurred around 3:40 PM. Bystanders and nearby villagers jumped in to help after the girls were seen struggling in the river. Despite their quick response, the current proved too strong. The community members eventually retrieved the bodies themselves before any rescue teams could arrive.

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Community in Mourning

The entire Lakhi Loni village and the surrounding Dukki area fell into mourning as news of the drownings spread. Friends, neighbors, and relatives gathered at the Buzdar family home to offer condolences. Many wept openly at the loss of such young lives, all from a single family.

For families living near rivers and water bodies, summer swims are common, especially in areas lacking formal recreational spaces. But this incident has highlighted the dangers of unsupervised access to deep and unpredictable river currents.

Authorities Respond

The local Levies administration confirmed the incident and shared details with the media. An officer stated that no formal rescue teams were involved due to the quick retrieval by villagers. However, local authorities are expected to initiate a review into river safety and explore whether any preventive steps could be introduced to avoid such incidents in the future.

While the river has no official supervision or warning signage, this tragedy may force local and provincial officials to take water safety more seriously. Currently, there are no protective barriers or lifeguard stations along the Anmbar River, despite its popularity among locals for swimming during the summer months.

Growing Risks During Summer

Dukki, like many parts of Balochistan, faces extreme summer temperatures. This often pushes children and teenagers toward natural water sources. However, many of these rivers are unsafe, with uneven depths and sudden drops.

In past years, there have been similar incidents across Balochistan, especially in areas where formal swimming facilities are unavailable. These repeated tragedies raise concerns about the lack of public safety infrastructure in rural districts.

Calls for Safety Measures

Following the drownings, local elders and social activists have called on the government to build safe recreational areas for families. They are also demanding awareness campaigns to educate communities about water safety and drowning risks.

“We cannot bring these children back, but we must ensure others don’t suffer the same fate,” said a local schoolteacher attending the sisters’ funeral. He added that community leaders should work with authorities to fence off dangerous sections of the river and install warning signs.

A Village Grieves

As the sun set on Friday, the four sisters were laid to rest in their village graveyard. Their small graves, dug side by side, stand as a painful reminder of how a simple swim can turn deadly in the absence of safety precautions.

The people of Lakhi Loni now grapple with a loss too heavy for words. The incident leaves behind grieving parents, shocked relatives, and a community determined to never let this happen again.