By Aamir Latif
KARACHI, Pakistan
At least 27 people have drowned in rough seas off Pakistan's southern Karachi city over the last two days, officials said Thursday.
Most of the deceased were youths who were picnicking on the beach along the Arabian Sea, Abdul Khalique Shaikh, a city police chief, told reporters.
Thousands, mostly youths, flocked to the beach to celebrate the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr on Wednesday and Thursday despite warning from the Meteorological Office which forecast rough tides in the sea on the eve of the monsoon season.
"We even detailed police force to prevent people from thronging the beach as the sea is very rough in these days. But, the people, mostly youths, did not pay heed to warnings," Shaikh said.
"We even detained many youths for violating the ban on swimming in the sea," he added.
Shaikh said that 23 bodies had been fished out, while lifeguards were engaged in rescue efforts to retrieve the remaining bodies, Shaikh said.
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