Libya Boat Capsized: Pakistanis Among Victims
The incident highlights the risks faced by migrants attempting to reach Europe and the need for concerted efforts to prevent such tragedies. The Crisis Management Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is monitoring the situation, and a helpline has been established for people to seek information about the victims.
A vessel carrying approximately 65 passengers, including Pakistani nationals, has capsized off the coast of Libya, prompting the Pakistan Embassy in Tripoli to dispatch a team to assist local authorities with the identification of the deceased.
The incident occurred near the Marsa Dela port, northwest of Zawiya City, and is the latest in a series of migrant boat tragedies in which dozens of Pakistanis have lost their lives while attempting to migrate to Europe. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has activated its Crisis Management Unit to monitor the situation and offer assistance where necessary.
This tragedy comes after a similar incident last month in Morocco, where a boat carrying 86 migrants, including 66 Pakistani nationals, capsized near the Moroccan coast, resulting in the rescue of 36 people. The Pakistan Embassy in Libya has sought information on Pakistani nationals potentially affected by the shipwreck and is working to gather details about the passengers.
Libya has become a transit route for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty, with many attempting to reach Europe through the Mediterranean. Pakistan has experienced several boat tragedies in the past, including one in 2019 where a ship carrying at least 800 people capsized off Greece, resulting in significant loss of life.
The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government has ordered strict action against human traffickers and officials facilitating them, and the FIA has booked and dismissed officials for allegedly colluding with human smugglers. The government has also increased screening at airports to prevent illegal migration.
