August 06, 2008	Wednesday	Sha’aban 3, 1429

KARACHI, Aug 5: Every year around 250 people die from drowning at Hawkesbay beach mainly due to inadequate rescue facilities.

This was stated by the nazim of UC-8, Gabopat, Keamari Town, Mubarak Singo.

He said that the figure did not include the unregistered deaths.

He said at present 61 lifeguards were deployed in such a vast area. Of them 46 had been deployed by the city government and the remaining 25 by a non-governmental organisation, he said, adding that apart from these, around 90 private lifeguards offered their services voluntarily.

The UC nazim also pointed out that the CDGK had provided two speedboats, an ambulance and a fire tender. He said these facilities were not enough.

Mr Singo called for deploying more lifeguards on the beach. He said that services of private volunteers could be availed for this purpose and at the same time logistics should also be improved.