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Tuesday, December 17, 2024  
14 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1446  

Six Pakistanis killed, 40 missing in Greece migrant boad accident

The survivors, who hail from the Gujrat, Sialkot, and Kasur districts of Punjab

The death toll for Pakistanis involved in a devastating boat tragedy off the coast of Greece has risen to six, the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed today. The incident, which involved a wooden boat carrying migrants and refugees, resulted in the deaths of five people initially, with a sixth succumbing to injuries later. At least 40 others remain missing.

Among the 80 Pakistanis aboard the vessel, a significant number were young children, according to Pakistan’s Ambassador to Greece, Aamir Aftab, who addressed the media earlier today. A video obtained by a news outlet shows 46 Pakistani survivors.

The survivors, who hail from the Gujrat, Sialkot, and Kasur districts of Punjab, Pakistan, recounted harrowing details of their journey. They departed Pakistan on June 10th, embarking on the ill-fated boat on June 11 after spending one to two months enduring harsh conditions in Libya. Their journey was fraught with peril; they spent three days at sea with a malfunctioning engine and no working radio. They were eventually rescued by a cargo ship after their boat capsized near the Greek island of Gavdos.

The survivors arrived in Greece with nothing—no clothes, shoes, or even mobile phones—and are currently residing in a refugee camp. The Greek Coast Guard continues its search and rescue operation for the missing individuals.

The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established a helpline (+30 6943850188) for families concerned about loved ones involved in the incident. The ministry is working closely with Greek authorities to provide assistance to the survivors and facilitate the repatriation of the deceased. While 47 Pakistanis have been rescued, the exact number of those still missing remains unknown. The ministry emphasizes its commitment to supporting those affected by this tragedy.

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