KARACHI, June 29: Four picnickers were swept away by strong currents off the city’s coastline on Sunday in two incidents.

Three young men got drowned near the Clifton beach at a spot known as “Do Darya”, on Sunday afternoon, where they had gone for picnic along with some of their family members.

Edhi sources toldDawn that three young friends, identified as Mohammad Sharif, 25, Mohammad Yousaf and Shahzad had came to the Clifton beach from Korangi No 2. As they descended in the rough waters the three friends could not sustain the strong currents and got drowned.

The Edhi volunteers and Navy divers made hectic efforts to recover the bodies but remained unsuccessful.

In another incident at the Hawksbay beach, a young man, Khurram Ahmed Butt, 30, got drowned off the beach, while his two brothers Imran Ahmed and Farooq Ahmed were rescued by the life-guards.

Sources in the fire brigade’s Hawksbay rescue centre said that a group of youngsters had come to the Hawksbay beach to spend the weekly off.

Three of them drifted in deep water, from where, two young men were rescued by the life-guards, however, Khurram could not be recovered from the water.

Police said that a group of youngsters had come from Defence area.

Visitors to the beach remarked that city district government should strictly enforce ban on entering the sea to save lives of picnickers, who frequently visited the sea-side.