At least five people drowned after a boat carrying them capsized in the Chenab River in Pakistan's Punjab area on Saturday, when a flood evacuation process was ongoing.

Multan Deputy Commissioner (DC) Wasim Hamid Sindhu and City Police Officer (CPO) Sadiq Ali Dogar reached the site of the mishap and they were briefed about the incident.

“The causes of the boat accident are being carefully examined. Initially, five deaths, including children on board the boat, have been confirmed,” DC Sindhu was quoted as saying in a statement by Dawn News.

Sindhu directed authorities to intensify the search operation.

“Rescue operations are being carried out to search for more people on board the boat,” Sindhu said.

CPO Dogar told Dawn News that police teams were providing full support to Rescue 1122 and the initial reasons for the boat accident included the darkness and flooded routes.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz took notice of the incident.

She condoled the deaths of those who died in the incident.