12 of a family drown at Karachi's Hawke's Bay beach

KARACHI: 12 people belonging to a single family died by drowning at Karachi’s Hawke’s Bay beach, rescue sources told ARY News on Saturday.

According to rescue and law enforcement agencies, twelve picnickers drowned in the sea while they were trying to save a kid from the family prompting the onlookers to contact rescue services. Rescue services were initially able to recover nine bodies while three other bodies were recovered later in the evening.

All twelve belonged to a single family living in Nazimabad and North Karachi.

Sources say that at least 35 lifeguards were absent from duty and the rescue operation was conducted by rescue divers from Edhi Foundation and Chhipa Welfare Association.

It is pertinent to note here that in May, the provincial government  imposed a ban on swimming on Karachi’s beaches for six months.

The provincial government had notified that under Section 144 of the CrPC, a ban has been imposed on wading through, swimming and diving in the sea at the beaches of Karachi for the next six months.

Last month, at least three Saudi nationals died by drowning at the same beach. The three dead included son of Saudi vice-consul general.

Karachi witnesses a significant number of drowning incidents in the summer season, when picnickers swarm at the beaches to beat the soaring temperatures in the city.