Close shave at sea for seven at Hawke's Bay

Seven picknickers were rescued after being swept away by strong waves while bathing in the sea near Turtle Beach at Hawke's Bay on Sunday, police said.

According to officials, the incident occurred near Hut No N-9 within the limits of Mauripur police station, where a group of friends from Gulshan-e-Iqbal had gone for a picnic.

As the group ventured into the water, they were hit by rough sea conditions and strong waves, leaving all seven struggling in the surf.

Upon receiving information, two local fishermen, along with teams from the Pakistan Life Saving Rescue Service and Edhi Foundation, rushed to the scene and launched an immediate rescue operation.

All seven were pulled out of the water within a short time. Two of them, identified as 22-year-old Moez, son of Shamim, and 23-year-old Jazeem, son of Adil, were retrieved in a semi-conscious condition and shifted to the Civil Trauma Centre via Edhi ambulances for medical treatment.

The remaining friends - identified as Hauzan, 19, Ali, 24, Ali Mubarak, 22, and Saeed Ahmed, 26 - were also rescued safely.

All are now out of danger.