The boat departed on Monday from Karachi’s Ibrahim Hyderi. The fishermen were expected to return on Wednesday.

Around 45 fishermen were on the boat, called Al-Asad, which overturned. However, only 31 fishermen were rescued.

A rescued fisherman, Riaz, pointed out that the boat was overloaded.

“My brother was also with me,” he said, adding, “I couldn’t save him despite all my efforts.”

“The families are in agony,” Pakistan FisherFolk Forum (PFF) Chairman Mehran Shah said.

Shah said the missing fishermen included Riaz Bengali, Ahmed Bangali, Shakeel Bengali, Sajjad, Koki, Hasho, Riaz Ashraf, Noor Alam, Rahim, Sher Mallah, Muneer, Alam Bengali, Qayoom, and Hussain.

He pointed out that there was an immediate need for action and these events had happened before. Shah shared that due to strong winds, the boat overturned.

“The fishermen on board are still missing,” he added.

A Sea King helicopter of the Pakistan Navy and speedboats were sent to search the people on Thursday but there has been no success so far.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed deep concern over the boat tradegy.

“I pray for the safe return of the missing fishermen to their homes,” Bilawal stated.