KARACHI:
Rescue teams recovered the bodies of nine more picnickers who had drowned in Karachi’s Sea View beach, bringing the number of deaths to 35. The search and rescue operation for at least three more missing people will continue today (Saturday).
Police have arrested over 40 people from beaches in the metropolis for violating Section 144, which was imposed across the city on Thursday.
The rescue operation, which saw a brief hiatus on Thursday, was resumed on Friday morning by the Pakistan Navy who recovered nine more bodies.
“Pakistan Navy has recovered 32 bodies during the three-day search and rescue operation. The operation is still under way and the navy is continuously extending full support to the civil administration in order to recover the drowned individuals,” the Pakistan Navy spokesperson told The Express Tribune.
Scores of people were still at Sea View who were looking for their missing relatives, however, civil authorities have a record of only three more persons whose whereabouts are unknown. “The families of three more people have just contacted us,” said Karachi Commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui. “We are trying our level best to search and recover these three bodies and of course, we will request the navy to continue the search and rescue operation on Saturday if these three missing people are not recovered.”
Appreciating the role of the Pakistan Navy, he said, “We salute them for conducting a successful operation.”
The responsibility of the tragic drowning has not been pinned yet. Sindh IGP Ghulam Haider Jamali has already formed an inquiry committee; however, the committee has not prepared its report as yet. “The investigation will not only be limited to the police but will also look into the role of Clifton Board Cantonment, Defence Housing Authority, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and the district management who are generating revenue from these beaches,” said a senior police officer who is a member of the probe committee.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 2nd, 2014.
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The socio-economic background of those who drowned need to be understood.These young men (RIP) were from poor class and these unfortunate beings start earning from a very tender age, they become economically independent, often be the providers for their families, and then parents start losing influence on the choices they make. These young people are entertainment starved, with no power and water and life with other social annihilators, they get possessed by their simple desire to enjoy on eid, hence mindlessly hit the beach,It is the prime responsibility of individuals to stay away from danger but the govt has to be proactive and engage in regulating public behaviour, and train them to make wise and safe choices. Even in western countries where abiding law is more of a biological process than a matter of training, the government has a strong and visible presence at the centres of entertainment and recreation and they look out for the safety of the people. The inept and indifferent government of Sindh cannot shrink away from the responsibility, it is criminal negligence on their part. Karachi needs a mayor to govern it, Sindh 2 is inevitable. May Allah protect all of us from the exponentially tragic experience of losing a loved one on eid. Hope you understand Karachittes are hard working & good people and deserve to be respected & protected