Two men drowned Sunday afternoon while swimming off the coast of Manora Beach in Karachi. Rescue officials identified the victims as local residents who had traveled to the island for a weekend outing.
The incident occurred despite a seasonal ban on swimming enforced by the Karachi administration. Lifeguards and local police arrived on the scene shortly after the pair disappeared beneath the waves, but strong currents hampered initial recovery efforts.
“They were caught in a rip current near the breakwater,” a rescue diver told reporters at the scene. “The tide was aggressive today, and the area is notoriously dangerous even for strong swimmers.”
The bodies of both men were recovered following a three-hour search operation involving the Pakistan Navy and the Edhi Foundation’s water rescue unit. They were transported to a nearby government hospital for legal formalities before being handed over to their families.
Karachi’s coastline frequently sees such tragedies, particularly during the monsoon season when sea conditions become volatile. Despite warning signs and the presence of police patrols, visitors often bypass security barriers to access restricted areas of the beach.
Local authorities have faced criticism for the lack of perimeter fencing and insufficient lifeguard staffing at popular picnic spots. While the district administration claims to have deployed additional security, the recurring nature of these drownings suggests safety measures remain inadequate.
The victims’ families are now preparing for funeral rites as the local administration reiterates its warning: the Manora coastline remains closed to swimmers until further notice.
