Rough seas sweep away seven men on Karachi beach

Seven young men were drowned Sunday after they were caught by a wave at a beach and swept out to sea, a rescue official said.

Seven young men were drowned on Sunday after they were caught by a wave at a beach and swept out to sea, a rescue official said.

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The body of one victim - Mohammed Khurram, 18 - was recovered from the Arabian Sea near the coast about two hours after he drowned, but high waves and strong winds forced rescuers to abandon the search for the others, said Zafar Khan, of the government's coastal lifeguard service.

The young men were knee-deep in water at Cap Mount beach near Karachi when the wave struck, Khan said.

Drowning is common on Karachi's beaches, which are often crowded on weekends and other holidays. Many people are unable to swim and often disregard warnings against venturing too far into the sea.