At least nine people died when a rescue boat overturned while aiding flood victims near Multan in Punjab province. The boat had rescued 24 people, 15 of whom were safely removed from the water, authorities said.

Floods caused by heavy monsoon rains and swollen rivers have killed 946 people in Pakistan since late June, including 97 in Punjab. Over 4,500 villages have been submerged, affecting more than 4.4 million people, with around 2.4 million evacuated.

Officials say rescue efforts are challenging as some villagers refuse to leave without their livestock, a key source of income. Punjab, home to half of Pakistan’s 240 million population, is considered the country’s breadbasket.