A heart-stopping incident occurred while a live report was being done from Rawalpindi when a reporter covering the area near Chahan Dam was washed away by raging floodwaters. The spine-chilling episode, which was caught on camera, has been viralled on social media, with people starting discussions on journalistic risk and media ethics.
In the video posted by Al Arabiya English on Facebook, the journalist can be noticed standing in water up to his neck, microphone in hand. While reporting, the rushing current gets stronger and stronger and finally sweeps him away. Only his head and the mic-holding hand are visible before he disappears underwater.
Take a look at the viral clip:
A Pakistani reporter is swept away by strong currents during a live broadcast while covering the floods in neck-deep water.#Pakistan #Floods pic.twitter.com/0raCbYaoer
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) July 17, 2025
Social Media Responds
The viral clip has had an avalanche of comments on the web, ranging from adoration to criticism. While some praised the journalist’s bravery, others questioned whether the reporting had to be done in such dangerous circumstances.
As someone tweeted, the reporter crossed the fine line between ‘bravery’ and ‘recklessness’, while others criticized TV channels for giving more importance to ‘TRP’ at the expense of safety.
This has stoked a broader debate on media responsibility and the moral limits of field reporting in life-and-death scenarios.
Flooding Leaves 116 Dead, Millions Affected
Since June 26, incessant rains have wrought havoc in Pakistan. Official reports show that a minimum of 116 lives have been lost and more than 250 injured. Punjab had the maximum 44 deaths, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (37), Balochistan (19), and Sindh (18). One death and five injuries were also reported in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The flood has heavily affected day-to-day life, demolishing houses and paralyzing facilities like electricity and water. The collapse of Chahan Dam has also made the situation more critical, inundating vast areas of Rawalpindi and triggering massive relief and rescue operations.
Reporter Unidentified Yet
The identity of the swept-away reporter is unknown, but his actions set off debates about the extreme risks journalists frequently take to bring us news from the scene in real time.
Many viewers described the scene as ‘terrifying’, but others wondered if such risks are worth taking in the name of journalism.
The accident continues to shake public debate about how far media professionals should go to get the story and at what expense.
