The Foreign Office confirmed on Tuesday that 16 Pakistani nationals were among those who perished in a boat tragedy near Marsa Dela Port in Libya on Monday. The boat, which was en route to Spain, capsized, resulting in a devastating loss of life.

A statement from the Foreign Office revealed that a team from the Embassy of Pakistan in Tripoli had visited Zawiya city, where they met with local officials and hospital representatives. According to initial reports, 63 Pakistanis were on the boat. So far, 16 bodies have been recovered and identified through their passports. Additionally, 37 survivors have been accounted for, including one hospitalized and 33 in police custody. It is also reported that around 10 Pakistanis remain missing. Three survivors are currently in Tripoli under the care of the Embassy.

The Embassy in Tripoli is continuing its efforts to gather further details and is in regular communication with local authorities.

Reports indicate that at least six of the deceased nationals were from the Kurram district, with one hailing from the Bajaur Agency of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his profound sorrow over the loss of life, extending condolences to the families affected by this tragic incident.

In a related development, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has faced criticism for the continued challenges in combating human trafficking. However, a spokesperson for the agency emphasized its crucial role in targeting human smuggling and trafficking networks. In January 2025 alone, the FIA arrested 185 traffickers, including 38 high-priority individuals and 16 agents connected to the 2024 Greece boat disaster. Some traffickers linked to the 2023 Libya tragedy have also been apprehended.

The FIA has taken significant action against its own personnel involved in aiding human traffickers, with over 40 officials dismissed for their roles in facilitating smuggling operations. Major airports in cities like Islamabad, Lahore, Sialkot, and Faisalabad were sites of these arrests. Additionally, 35 FIA officers were fired following their involvement in the 2023 Greece migrant boat tragedy, which claimed the lives of hundreds of Pakistanis.