Tragedy struck on Sunday as two young individuals drowned in separate incidents at Clifton and Hawkesbay beaches, despite a city-wide ban on swimming and bathing due to high tides and turbulent waves.
Incident at Clifton
According to Rescue-1122 official Hassaan Khan, the first incident occurred near “China Port” at Clifton. Four friends were enjoying a picnic when they decided to take a swim. Unfortunately, one of them, identified as 20-year-old Mairaj, was swept away by a strong wave.
Divers launched a search operation that lasted five hours. After considerable effort, Mairaj’s body was found trapped among large stones on the seabed. His body was subsequently handed over to his father, Riaz.
Incident at Hawkesbay
In a separate incident, 18-year-old Anas Fareed drowned while swimming at Hawkesbay beach, where he had gone for a picnic. Despite a swift response from rescue workers and divers, Anas’s body could not be recovered by evening. The search operation is set to resume in the morning, as confirmed by official Hassaan Khan.
Enforcement of swimming ban
These tragic incidents come despite the Karachi administration’s enforcement of a swimming ban at all city beaches. The ban was implemented for one month in anticipation of the monsoon season, which brings high tides and dangerous sea conditions.
Earlier, on June 15, Karachi Commissioner Hasan Naqvi had imposed a two-month ban on swimming and bathing specifically at Kanupp Beach and Sunerah Beach. This decision was part of precautionary measures during the high tide season to prevent such tragic incidents.