KARACHI, June 17: Three young men died by drowning in the sea on Sunday morning at Sunehra Point while their friend was rescued from the rough waters in a critical condition.

The incident could have been averted if the authorities concerned had imposed a ban on the public movement at the four points which are considered dangerous during the season from June 1 to August 15.

“We had sent a summary to the authorities concerned in May to close at least four points of Cape Montz, Naleem, Mubarak Village and Sunehra Point for public due to the rough waters during the season, but unlike previous years no action has been taken so far,” said Zafar Khan, in charge of the city government’s rescue centre.

Every year Section 144 is imposed at the beaches and police are deployed there especially on Sundays when the number of picnickers increases drastically.

Giving details of the Sunday’s incident, which is the first mishap of the current season, he said a group of around 15 to 16 friends all in their early and mid 20s had come to the beach in the small hours from Malir and Sohrab Goth areas.

At 7am, they entered the waters and four of them identified as Aftab, 23, Yasir, 23, Naveed, 25 and Umair, 24 were swept away by the receding tide, the in charge of rescue centre said.

Mr Khan said one of their friends Bilal informed the rescue centre. Subsequently, life guards were fetched from the nearby villages, he said.

The life guards managed to rescue Naveed in a critical condition. He was rushed to hospital, Mr Khan said, adding that despite repeated attempts, the bodies could not be recovered till Sunday evening.