KARACHI, Oct 16: Six of the victims of the Gadani drowning tragedy were buried in different parts of the city on Tuesday. As many as 18 youngsters, who had gone to celebrate the second day of Eid, drowned off the Gadani beach on Monday, Edhi and police sources said. The incident comes at a time when the sea is relatively calm as compared to the rough season stretching from June to August.
Edhi sources said the incident occurred at low tide, when picnickers were having fun in the water near the Gadani harbour and the strong receding currents swept them away.
Initially the number of the dead was not clear, but as the bodies were recovered by fishermen and some local people, the toll rose to 18.
Ambulances were sent out from the Edhi centre situated at Hub Chowki and further reinforcements of 30 ambulances were called in from Karachi, Rizwan Edhi of the Edhi organisation said, adding that the Edhi marine service also took part in the search for the victims.
The bodies were taken to the Civil Dispensary at Hub from where they were transported to Karachi. Quoting local people, Edhi sources said Gadani had attracted an overwhelming number of people from Sindh and Balochistan on the second day of Eid and the majority of them was from Karachi.
On late Monday night, six bodies were brought to Dhobi Ghat, where moving scenes were witnessed as family members of the victims grieved for their loved ones.
Panic gripped the families of those who had gone on picnic when they saw the news tickers on television channels about the drowning incident.
Their anxiety was compounded when the cellphones of their relatives were found “switched off”, as the Gadani area does not have cellular service coverage.
“Most of the burials took place on late Monday night, while six bodies were kept at the Edhi morgue by the families. They were buried on Tuesday,” Rizwan said.
The 18 victims belonged to different areas of the city, including Garden, Baldia Town, Metroville, North Nazimabad, Kausar Niazi Colony, Faqir Colony, F.C. Area, Dastagir Society, Shershah, Hyderi and Shah Faisal Colony.
A majority of them had ventured out for Eid picnic in the morning unaware of their fate, Rizwan remarked.
Gadani was perhaps not the only picnic point flooded with people as the beaches of Hawkesbay, Sandspit, Cape Montz, and Clifton witnessed the traditional Eid crowds.
Governor’s directive
Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad Khan on Tuesday directed the officials concerned to provide every possible assistance to the families of the victims who drowned on Monday off the Gadani beach, adds APP.
KARACHI, Oct 16: Six of the victims of the Gadani drowning tragedy were buried in different parts of the city on Tuesday. As many as 18 youngsters, who had gone to celebrate the second day of Eid, drowned off the Gadani beach on Monday, Edhi and police sources said. The incident comes at a time when the sea is relatively calm as compared to the rough season stretching from June to August.
