KARACHI: Nine more bodies of people who drowned at Clifton beach in Karachi were recovered on Friday, bringing the death toll to 36, Express News reported.
The Sindh government announced Rs0.2 million each for the families of the deceased.
On July 31, rescue services had recovered bodies of 27 men who had ventured into the seas during the Eid holidays. Twenty-four bodies were recovered from Sea View, two from Paradise Point and one from Hubco.
Three people are reportedly still missing and the rescue operation is underway.
Navy officials have also come forward with helicopters and divers to assist the ill-equipped and poorly managed municipal authorities.
The Maritime Security Agency and Pakistan Coast Guard are now participating in the rescue efforts. However, they had earlier held back from the rescue efforts, saying it did not fall within their jurisdiction and they were unable to carry out a search and rescue operation due to the rough conditions at sea. Edhi’s rescue services officials have also been asked to stay out of the water in order to avoid any further mishap.
Section 144, which bans the gathering of more than four people at one place for rallies and protests, is imposed on swimming at the beach.
Some of the deceased were visiting Karachi from across the country for the Eid holidays. There were reports of scuffles between families trying to picnic at the beach and the police, as they prevented them from heading to the shore.
Municipal body to draw up safety plan
Deputy Commissioner South Mustafa Jamal Qazi, while speaking to Express News, said the municipal authorities will have a meeting with the commissioner tomorrow to draw up a proper plan to avoid such incidents in the future.
Qazi regretted that many people who come to the beach don’t follow the precautionary measures put in place.
“The incident took place far away from the designated beach where life guards are present,” he pointed out, however, admitting the number of guards is very small.
The deputy commissioner also praised all those who took part in the rescue work.
Highlighting the negligent behaviour of many who went to the beach during Eid holidays, Qazi said one man had taken a truck into the sea while another had taken a jeep.
He further said that the district government would also bear the funeral expenses of the people who drowned at Clifton beach in Karachi.
COMMENTS (11)
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Now I see why this paper ET has been accused for being biased or even scared of MQM, you can publish stereo type comments from some morons from Karachi about the Pukhtuns and K-P but not my comments to show these morons that Pukhtuns are not only ones who are creating problems in Karachi. Any one remembers the carnage of May12,207, they were the goons from MQM and no doubt about it.
Only fools blame the government for this tragedy. The present youth feel 'its my life', don't respect elders, teachers, civic laws. They behave as 'don't care' type. When the sea is rough, they should not have ventured into it first. The nature will not tolerate their heroism as in colleges, restaurants, roads.
@northern why are being so naive when we all know it the ppl from kpk that have created havoc in khi
Could some one explain why the government of Sindh is responsible for these unfortunate deaths. Don't people have the choice or the right to do what ever they do with in the law. It is also the responsibility of the people to know what could be dangerous for them and not to go there. Why did they go so far into the sea any way? My condolences to the bereaved families. RIP the deceased.
@Lion King: I've not seen such jahil crowd to clifton. They lack basic sense and teachings, they don't know how to talk, respect the cleaness of parks, sea beaches and people. They're are coming all over from rural areas of punjab and sindh. That has destroyed the peaceful karachitess life and overcrowded. They break laws and making karachi a dirt place.
@Lion King: do u mean "NORTH" by KPK, coz north is Gilgit-Baltistan, which enjoys annual visit of thousands of Foreign tourists, so they were much earlier exposed to Western people than cosmopolitan ones, like karachites...
The Fact Media Wouldn't Talk About: People from north are usually illiterate, aggressive and lawless, they have destroyed the cosmopolitan culture, social environment and civic facilities of Karachi. They find educated people of Karachi as cowards, weak and easy to intimidate. They have made not only many ares but nearly all the public recreational places such as Hill park, beaches, etc. a no go area for the people of Karachi as they tease and harass families especially women while keeping their women caged inside their homes.
They break laws and if someone tries to stop them they are always ready to fight. They have been roughing up the people and city of Karachi. They thought they could rough up the rough sea of Karachi as well but this time they were wrong.
Mourn Not The Dead
But rather mourn the apathetic throng-- The cowed and the meek-- Who see the world's great anguish and its wrong And dare not speak!
Incrediable tragedy, 36 and counting. Media, civil society and judiciary, none will support a mayor for Karachi, all partners in atrocities against Karachittes, this could have been easily prevented, if any government functionary cared at all. RIP all dead
And why are we calling this a rescue mission? It is now a search operation.
No ruling thug from wadera corruption party bothered to visit the accidents' sites while they are a permanent feature in TV talk shows where they shamelessly lie and support their corrupt leaders
Has the CM and the Commissioner Karachi considered resigning. MQM and PTI should demand it.These deaths are tragic and very sad