The Pakistan Foreign Office confirmed on Monday that the Pakistani embassy in Libya is gathering information regarding the “Pakistani affectees” involved in a tragic boat capsizing near the Marsa Dela port. The incident, which occurred with approximately 65 passengers on board, adds to the growing number of migrant-related tragedies in the region.
This follows a similar disaster last month, when a boat with 80 passengers capsized near Morocco. At least 13 Pakistani lives were confirmed lost, and reports suggest that over 40 Pakistani nationals were murdered by African human traffickers on the boat. Only 22 passengers survived the ordeal.
In an official statement, the Foreign Office revealed that the embassy in Tripoli had sent a team to the Zawiya hospital to assist local authorities in identifying the victims. The embassy is also working to obtain further details about the Pakistani nationals involved in the latest incident.
Although the identities of the passengers have not been confirmed, it remains unclear whether they were migrants. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Crisis Management Unit has been activated to monitor the situation closely, offering contact numbers for those seeking further information.
The tragic boat incident is part of a larger pattern of migrant disasters in the region. In a related development, the bodies of at least 29 migrants were recovered in different locations in Libya, with investigations suggesting the deaths were tied to smuggling activities.
Libya continues to serve as a critical transit point for migrants fleeing poverty and conflict, hoping to reach Europe. Tragically, numerous boat accidents, including several in the Mediterranean, have claimed the lives of many, including numerous Pakistani nationals. In response to the increasing boat tragedies, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has increased screening measures at airports and cracked down on illegal migration networks.
