At least 40 Pakistanis have reportedly lost their lives in the capsizing of three boats near Greece, according to a report from the Pakistani Embassy in Athens.
The embassy indicated that five bodies have been recovered, while 35 individuals remain missing, with little hope for their survival as the Greek Coast Guard has suspended rescue operations.
The report highlighted that the missing travelers are to be presumed dead, as the maritime rescue efforts have been called off. Official sources revealed that over 5,000 Pakistanis are currently in Libya, preparing to travel to Europe, often facilitated by various Libyan and Pakistani agents. These individuals obtained visas from Pakistan and arrived in Libya legally.
The boats that capsized had departed from Tobruk port in Libya. The first vessel had 45 passengers, including six Pakistanis, while five out of 47 passengers on the second boat were also Pakistani. The third boat carried 83 passengers, including 76 Pakistanis, along with three Bangladeshis, two Egyptians, and two Sudanese. Of the 39 people rescued from the third boat, 36 were Pakistanis.
Among the deceased are four identified victims from Sialkot, Gujrat, and Mandi Bahauddin, with one body still unidentified. The rescued individuals have been taken to the Malakasa refugee camp, situated 40 kilometers from Athens, while a Sudanese driver among them has been detained.
In response to this tragedy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to intensify efforts against human trafficking. During a meeting focused on the deaths of Pakistani nationals, he criticized the lack of action against traffickers, referencing a similar incident last year that claimed 262 Pakistani lives. He called for the immediate implementation of the Integrated Border Management System to monitor international travel.
The Prime Minister was informed that 174 individuals involved in human trafficking had been presented in court, with four convictions. He emphasized the need for a public awareness campaign and requested reports from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding incidents involving Pakistani nationals over the past year.
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The Foreign Office announced activating its Crisis Management Unit to assist Pakistanis in Greece. Pakistani nationals in Greece and their families were urged to contact the CMU via telephone at 051-9207887 or by email. Families of the missing Pakistanis can also reach the Embassy of Pakistan in Greece to provide details at +30-6943850188.
