28 June 2004	Monday	09 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

KARACHI, June 27: Seven persons, including a seven-year-old girl, were swept away by rough seas in two separate incidents on Sunday.

Six persons died when they drowned into the sea off Ibrahim Hyderi. Four bodies were recovered while search for the remaining two bodies was called off on Sunday night.

Edhi sources said that some members of three families, on board a small boat, decided to swim in the sea off Chashma Goth, 40kms away from Ibrahim Hyderi.

Senior official of the Edhi Foundation, Rizwan Edhi told Dawn that the picnickers were under the impression that they would be able to swim, as the water appeared shallow. However, he added, they were swept away by strong currents.

He said that Edhi divers and some fishermen recovered the bodies of Kashif, 25, Javed, 45, his son Ali Javed, 13 and Kamran, 32. Later, the four bodies were shifted to Edhi morgue, he added.

The search for the remaining two bodies was called off in the evening, he said adding that the search will resume on early Monday morning.

Sources said that the families, who came from Gulistan-i- Jauhar, Shah Faisal Colony and FB Area's Block-20, had reportedly taken permission from Korangi Fish Harbour authorities for the cruise, sources said.

Meanwhile, a girl was swept away by strong waves at Manora Island on Sunday evening.

Edhi sources said that Saima, 7, Saira, 7, and Gul Bai, 30, were standing at the shore of the island when sudden strong tides swept them away. Some divers rescued Saira and Gul Bai, but, Saima could not be recovered from the rough seas.

Rizwan Edhi told Dawn that the family had come from Agra Taj Colony to visit the shrine of Yousaf Baba.