73
The number of recovered bodies has risen since the release of this video.
KARACHI: At least 23 bodies of picnickers, most of them youth, were pulled out at different points of Clifton and Hawksbay beaches in the port city till Thursday night, while search for the other missing people was continued by the rescue agencies, said Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui.
The commissioner appealed to the people not to violate ban on bathing in the sea, otherwise, action will be taken in case of violation of the law, according to a handout issued here.
It said that Rescue-1299 centre set up at the commissioner Karachi office has issued an advice note in which it has warned the people to avoid bathing in the sea for their own safety, as sea conditions become very rough from June to August.
Commissioner Siddiqui is personally monitoring the rescue operation being conducted with the help of Pakistan Coast Guards, Fire Brigade and other City government departments at the beaches, official sources said.
More than two dozen holidaymakers had drowned while bathing at Clifton and Hawkesbay beaches on the second day of Eidul Fitr.
The rescue teams have recovered 21 bodies from different points of Clifton beach while two from Hawkesbay.
In the meantime police arrested eight people from Clifton beach who were bathing there in violation of ban on entering/bathing in the sea, the sources said.
Thousands of picnickers had turned up at the city beaches on the second day of Eid although the administration had imposed ban on entering or bathing in the sea due to rough sea condition.
Pakistan Navy helicopters were also being used in the rescue operation.
 |
| People gather as a Pakistan Navy diver attached to a sling rope from a helicopter, holds the body of a man who had drowned on Wednesday, after recovering it from Arabian Sea during a search rescue operation at Karachi's Clifton beach July 31, 2014.— Photo by AFP |
Siddiqui had earlier appealed to the people not to violate the ban as the sea water is rough and dangerous.
High number of drowning incidents
Experts speaking to DawnNews said that the high number of drownings may have occured due to dredging activities carried out near the coast for the extension of Karachi port operations.
Speaking to Dawn, a lifeguard said that the high number of drowning incidents were not just due to the rough monsoon seas but due to lack of cooperation from the large number of people who had turned up on the beaches.
Another lifeguard said that more than 150,000 people had turned up at Karachi's beaches on the event of Eid whereas there were only a handful of rescue personnel covering the coastline of the city which stretches to around 130 kilometres.
Administrative response and relatives' woes
As a result of the drowning, routes leading to the beaches were sealed. Policemen on horseback were patrolling Clifton beach while a picket was established on Maripur road to intercept picnickers on way to Hawkes Bay, French beach, Sandspit and other beaches.
Relatives of the missing picnickers, trying to approach Clifton beach to search for their loved ones, staged protests and burnt tyres after policemen restricted the access of all beachgoers.
Faiz Rehman, 32, said he and his younger brother had came to the beach on Wednesday to go for a swim along with two friends — who were now missing.
He said: “As we were swimming in the sea, I noticed the waves getting bigger and more rough, and I got scared and started swimming back.
“I also called my brother and friends to swim back to the shore. My brother returned but my two friends were still swimming as the waves got bigger I lost sight of them.
“I waited for around three hours but they didn't return. “Twenty-four-year-old Muhammad Haroon added he had come to celebrate Eid with his cousins, but refused to swim with them because he did not want to ruin his new clothes.
“I was walking along the shore waiting for them to return.
“We are still clueless about them. “
Thousands of people had turned up at the city beaches on the second day of Eid despite the administration-imposed ban under Section 144 on entering or bathing in the sea.
President Mamnoon Hussain expressed sorrow over the loss of lives.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (73) Closed
Jul 31, 2014 12:28am
2 basic lessons here:
1) Don't let your children go towards the deep if they can't swim.
2) Teach your children how to swim.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 12:36am
Everybody knows that during monsoon it is dangerous to go near the sea. It's sad that in their festivity people forget to be careful. My commiserations with the effected families.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 12:45am
I am so sick and depressed with all the bad news coming from my beloved Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 12:49am
Death of one person impacts many many people. Here, we lost 8-12 precious lives. Sorry for the loss of human life including very young kids.
If any personnel from provincial administration is reading it, please make an attempt to enforce such bans. Declaring a ban couldn't save human life. You need to do better job to save lives.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 01:09am
Sorry for loss of lives.... IF you don't know how to swim... going into water in monsoon season is suicidal.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 02:00am
So Sad ,RIP.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 02:01am
@Omar Pakistan will remain same even if Chinese rule it and bring all the Hans here , no need to worry about Pakistan , it will be same no matter how many people die.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 02:05am
Time and again the peoples are warned not to venture deep in the sea especially during the summer months but who cares so the result is obvious. Here I would not blame the authority for negligence, it is the holiday makers who are to be blamed for such deaths.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 02:22am
@Dystopia The water at Clifton beach is not deep. But at this time of the year the currents are very strong and even knee high water will suck you in.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 02:26am
What Rickshaw is doing at the beach as can be seen in the picture..
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 02:47am
@Dystopia Does not matter how good a swimmer you are, if the sea is rough then they should stay away from it!
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 03:13am
Do they have any concept of coastguards?
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 03:50am
City government really need to block roads leading to sea view during eid Holidays. Our "rangher qoum" will never learn.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 03:52am
Are there any Life Guards on Karachi Beaches ? Haven't they learned anything from Bay Watch ?
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 03:54am
An ignorant nation with no respect for law. It is also daunting to note the population flood and lack of R&R avenues for a common man...God Bless Pakistan
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 03:59am
@Danish we are talking abt tens of thousands of people turning up at the beach and what goes on there is beyond control of an ordinary policeman. Nobody listens to them for whatever reason. The way people drive on the beach with their cars, rickshaws, cycles mainly to show off is sickening. As a nation, we just don't know how to behave in public and take care of public properties
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 03:59am
@Danish we are talking abt tens of thousands of people turning up at the beach and what goes on there is beyond control of an ordinary policeman. Nobody listens to them for whatever reason. The way people drive on the beach with their cars, rickshaws, cycles mainly to show off is sickening. As a nation, we just don't know how to behave in public and take care of public properties
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 03:59am
Just look at the crowd on the beach, what a population growth, just 25 years back the beaches in Karachi were not like this - it is incredible
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 04:00am
@Harmony apnee izzat apne haath mein hotee hai. Coast guard won't intervene bcz ppl just won't listen to them...
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 04:14am
How do people drown with so many people around? why go deep in water when you can't swim? People need to teach their kids how to swim at young age.. This is like a sad joke man...
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 07:28am
@Harmony we have " coast guard" I think you were referring to "life guard" believe it or not we have those too.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 08:33am
Why did they Commissioner not post lifeguards when they knew the sea was rough and dangerous that day.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 08:50am
All those who have seen the Karachi beach in July/Aug should know its dangerous. This unfortunate and sad incident is due to lack of common sense.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 09:21am
@DMDiL you have not got water to dfink where is the water for swimming pools will come from also
the is bad example of governments and publics nonawreness.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 09:23am
Government should be restriction on Eids & 14 August specially on these beaches Sea View and others, that action saves many innocent people from accident and lots of other horrible moment.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 09:24am
@Omar
Realize that our news outlets only focus on 'bad news'. Crazy stuff happens in every country. Keep your head up, there is lots if good happening in Pakistan that is often overlooked! :)
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 09:53am
@Dystopia Even if they know how to swim, and even if they're adults, rip tides, rough seas and undertows can easily vanquish whomever they wish. May God's peace quickly be with the families of those who perished.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 09:54am
People drown at the beach near my house once in a while, year round but not in these numbers. I think the topography of clifton beach is risky for swimming and there must be a reason for so many drownings regularly besides the obvious fact that you don't try to learn how to swim at a beach. Usually the authorities have to keep an eye on currents and post red flags indicating that getting in the water is dangerous. At most beaches around the world, one can get fined for swimming when red flags are up
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 10:06am
@Danish How are people supposed to save lives when the people who had drowned do not even listen to the safety measures. I was there that day. When I approached some of the people they said 'Hum bol bol kar thak chukay hain. Agar hum log inko mana karain, tou yeh humsay larnay lag jaatain hain.' What else are they supposed to do? There is a limit to how much people can explain things to others. If they still don't understand, then what are they supposed to do?
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 10:58am
@Raaz What do you expect when DHA appropriates (steals) half the beach for a development project leaving just 1.5 kilometers of Clifton beach for a population of 15 million peaple. Half the beach destroyed to make expensive homes for a very muniscule percentage of the population.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 01:05pm
How tragic this Eid has become. The government is responsible for this careless and casual approach leading to twenty innocent people losing their precious lives. Hai, Hai, Hai!
When you have a bad economy, spiralling upward prices, joblessness, and INSECURITY...naturally people will seek cheap entertainment.
When will educated and young persons run the operation making the output first class? When will we get rid of over stocking of soiled and moth eaten stock resulting in output lacking quality? Salams
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 01:07pm
@Dystopia: Eid Mubarak! When there are rough seas and rip currents, no sensible and strong swimmer will enter the sea. Is that not so? Salams
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 01:44pm
@Allahditta there were life guards and police posted there to stop people frim swimming but if u had watched the news alot of scuffles had happened in the morning and alot of the life guards were beaten up by the eid celebrating masses when they tried to stop them from going ibto tge water...a sad incidence but the common people who didnt respect the ban are to be blamed for this tragedy
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 02:03pm
You can not save people from themselves; Only they can do it.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 02:16pm
weird the bodies are bruised and cut though the karachi beach aint rocky i guess a conspiracy
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 02:30pm
How about the administration appoint lifeguards at the beaches, like they do all over the world, instead of telling the people of an entertainment-starved poor country not to go to the beach.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 02:48pm
In Pakistan no ban is enforced resulting in this and such losses. Suggestion: Heavy penalties should be imposed on violators (survivors) and on parents of dead. This is the only way to save further loss of lives in future.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 03:01pm
If people dont value their own lives then what authority can do about it?
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 03:03pm
@azmi sultan - Thanks for correction! But are they just mere bystanders just like our police when trouble brews?
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 03:59pm
Sorry yo hear the tragedy and deaths during Eid holiday. Our prayers and thoughts to the families who lost their loved ones. Wish we learn from this and adequate steps are taken to prevent these types of tragedies in future.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 04:10pm
A very simple precaution which every educated person should know, the Sea Tides rises and falls twice a day. The timmings when it is highest and when it is at lowest is published in every paper of Karachi, rather timmings are published months in advance.
The time when the tide is at highest, the tide starts to recede, one must never enter the Sea.
IN This appox six hours billions of tons of water is being pulled back into sea, anyone caught in it is not going to come back.
You can again enter the sea when the tide starts to rise that time is also published as Low Tide time.
During this six hours from Low Tide to High Tide Time, even the most stupid person will be thown back on the shore with incoming tides
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 04:11pm
This is a very sad occur acne. I have to mention few points
1 coastal drowning happen all over the world on different beaches.
2 lifeguards on beach do help in reducing such deaths and we do have our brilliant PALS LIFEGUARDS. However, they need community support in terms of volunteers and donations. We shouldn't blame everything on "govt"
3 serious public awareness about sea-tides timings ( low tide and high tide timings) and rip-currents can help improve public safety. This can be provided by lifeguards and signposts.
4 people wanting to bath in sea should ensure asking lifeguards about beach tide times and area rip-current prior to going into water and staying inside the flagged area is the only safe option.
5. A dedicated beach information website is a good option as likes of magic seaweed or surf guru.
Being a Karachiite and beach lover, just learning about tide timings and rip-currents on a particular beach has made me a safer beach person.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 04:36pm
what were the numerious life guards doing at that time when these people were drowning? what a great lost of life at this great occasion - lesson should be learnt for any future event of this sort
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 04:54pm
Very sad indeed. My thoughts and prayers are for the families who lost their loved ones in these drownings. Due to lack of education and awareness written warnings may be ignored by the people, especially the young folks at Karachi beaches. On an occasion like Eid there may be physical presence of life guards (need an organization that can recruit and train volunteers to serve as life guards) who should keep any eye on beaches at least when we have big crowds like Eid and prevent people from taking unwanted life risks.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 05:04pm
Safety awareness in Pakistan......look at the traffic on the roads and you will soon realize in what will be will be....this is the way we were destined to die or be maimed so why bother about safety......what will happen was preordained ....thank our religious teachers for this attitude.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 05:11pm
my condolences to the families of died youngester who lost their lives into brutal waves of arabian sea but this score of death reminds and repeats that emotionalism and extrimism has engrippd and overflowing into the veins of entire young blood throughout the society.so this total blame and condemnation goes to backward and corrupt society.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 05:22pm
Where were the beach guards to prevent the swimming and or the police. Someone should be held accountable.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 05:53pm
It is very sad.But keep one thing in mind,many people may use this sad incidence to get rid of their kids and some other relatives ,like spouses .police should look into it,and investigate every death.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 05:59pm
What's with the random tweets from unknown people in the middle of a news story?
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 06:03pm
@Sara There are lifeguards over there. But how many people are they supposed to look after? People themselves should have common sense and know what's more important for them: Entertainment or their Lives?
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 06:11pm
Most children in western countries are given swimming lessons from early age. Here we have the largest city in the country along a sea coast and swimming is not part of the culture. If you don't know how to swim, stay away from water more than waist deep. It will kill you, as it did in this case.
Even after 67-years this nation is clueless about some of the most basic civic procedures.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 06:16pm
Lack of alternative outdoor entertainment, that is looked down upon by the backward looking religious establishment (Concerts, games, carnivals etc. people flock to whatever little is out there. Women show up dressed from head to toe with small children near rivers, ponds, lakes and at the beaches, only to learn that heavy cover adds to their risks.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 06:20pm
Government need to invest into recreational activity places such as swimming pools, squash courts, football, hockey camps instead of supporting and sheltering madrasas.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 06:45pm
Imposing a curfew and blamming those who wanted to enjoy holidays at the beach is not going to work. I think we should learn the lesson from this incidence. In cause analysis, you cannot just ignore the fact that there is no safety awareness and be realistic that people are not controlled/guided. Coastal line and the beach areas need to be managed by Authorities who have been ignorant of the risks and consequences.
There is defenitely a need to increased awareness for safety near water, people to be educated of the danger. Authorities need to identify areas of high risks, need to build watch posts on the public beaches, appoint life guards, need police patrol, an punish those who breach the law, etc.
May Allah rest the soul of those who lost their life, and give the strength to bear the loss of the loved ones, Ameen!
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 06:48pm
These beaches should have dedicated areas, protected by barriers, for swimming.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 07:08pm
@Sara Excellent comment; as common-sense as it sounds.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 08:21pm
Sorry for lose. But on the other hand how much money and man hour wasting because our people ignore and abuse the law and basic safety. We all talk about corrupt politician how about this wastage.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 08:45pm
There is a criminal lack of unaccountability with Pakistani "organisations" and near complete non-acceptance by the public of any warnings, public or otherwise, that may exist.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 09:39pm
Safety first, this is government of Sindh responsibility to make all the public festivity place safe and secure.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 11:15pm
Sorry for the loss of precious human lives. But the role of government is pathetic.
Section 144 is imposed when more than 20 people have already lost their lives!
Picnic along the beach is least expensive option for low-income families from all walks of life because there is no entrance fee etc.
Whenever I visited Pakistan (Karachi), I made it a point to visit the Clifton beach and often had a stroll from McDonalds to Floating Ship. I have NEVER seen any Lifeguard along the beach.
Probably the PPP government has different priorities.
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 11:19pm
Section 144 perhaps means "imposing and reaffirming that authorities will do nothing". Its like a joke!
Recommend
0
Jul 31, 2014 11:21pm
Comming from some one that has served 4 years as US coast guard : Never underestimate the power of rip tide. You need few Life guards on duty and a great swimmers if you gotta survive that sort of current. The can push you about few Kilometers deep in matter of seconds. I think they should ban swimming in Monsoon season for a place like Pakistan where you hardly run in to a person who can swim half way decent.
Recommend
0
Aug 01, 2014 12:00am
Holidays, Festivities, and Seashores Dwellers Have Never been at Terms with safety. Look in the past and you can see these horrific tragedies happening again & again.
Recommend
0
Aug 01, 2014 01:02am
How can we prevent this in the future? Govt needs to have a plan.
Recommend
0
Aug 01, 2014 01:05am
Condolence to the families of the dead.... Don't play with Mother Nature
Recommend
0
Aug 01, 2014 01:22am
Deploy Punjab police onto these beaches. One chithar is enough to drive away at least a few nuts. If around 10 Punjab police personal are present, situation could never get out of control.
Recommend
0
Aug 01, 2014 02:54am
RIP!! Sorry for the loss of lives
Recommend
0
Aug 01, 2014 03:14am
What a great tragedy?
Recommend
0
Aug 01, 2014 04:03am
A great tragedy for our nation. Why not create safe environment for our young people to swim and avoid tragedy? We have a long coastline and there must be many spots where safe swimming areas can be developed. We do not have many places to go on occasions like Eid and going to the beach seems to be the only cheap option.
Recommend
0
Aug 01, 2014 05:15am
These people want to celebrate Eid. We are blessed with miles of beaches. Why can't the Government create a safe barrier at a beach, so that families with children can enjoy themselves without fear of drowning. There are beaches all over the world but never experience such numbers of tragic death as in Karachi.
Recommend
0
Aug 01, 2014 06:04am
life is cheaper in Indian continent. Even oneself also do not valued his / her life. And someone try to restrict them than they would come down to argue furiously. Ultimately pay there price with their life.
Recommend
0
Aug 01, 2014 11:43am
The loss of life is sad but its these idiots , the public, who are to be blamed, not the govt. Sea had always been rough during these months, its not a first time and people know it. Yet they chose to take chances. And they get violent if they are told by the police or life guards to stay out of water. And this guaranteed to happen again next year.
Recommend
0
Aug 03, 2014 12:48am
It is such a tragic incident but the authorities are not wholly responsible for it. I dont understand why such people don't take responsibility for their own lives..why such negligent behaviour towards one's own self !?
Recommend
0
