ISLAMABAD: A migrant vessel carrying 65 passengers has reportedly capsized near the Marsah Della port in Zawiya, Libya, with fears that Pakistani nationals may be among those onboard.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) confirmed on Monday that efforts are underway to verify the identities of the passengers and ascertain the extent of casualties.
The Pakistani Embassy in Tripoli has dispatched a team to Zawiya Hospital to assist local authorities in the identification of victims and provide necessary consular support. “We are actively working to determine the status of Pakistani nationals involved in this tragic incident,” read an official statement from MoFA.
The ministry has activated its Crisis Management Unit to monitor the evolving situation and offer assistance. For inquiries, citizens have been encouraged to contact designated helplines:
- Embassy of Pakistan in Tripoli: +923052185882 (WhatsApp) | +218913870577
- Crisis Management Unit, Islamabad: 051-9207887 | Email: [email protected]
This latest tragedy follows a grim pattern of migrant disasters in the Mediterranean, where Libya has become a major transit point for individuals seeking passage to Europe, often via dangerous sea routes facilitated by human traffickers.
In a related incident just last month, a boat carrying 80 passengers capsized near the Moroccan coast. Thirteen Pakistanis were confirmed dead, while over 40 were reportedly killed by traffickers onboard. Only 22 individuals survived the ordeal.
Over the past year, multiple maritime catastrophes involving Pakistani nationals have been reported. Notably, in June 2023, a fishing trawler bound for Italy capsized near Greece, with estimates suggesting as many as 300 Pakistani victims. Earlier in April, several Pakistanis lost their lives when boats sank off the western Libyan coast.
In response to mounting fatalities, Pakistani authorities have intensified efforts to curb illegal migration. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has introduced stricter screening protocols at airports, leading to the offloading of 2,500 passengers in January at Lahore airport alone. Additionally, 50 FIA officials have faced dismissal or legal action over alleged involvement in human smuggling networks.
Despite these measures, traffickers continue to exploit desperate individuals seeking better opportunities abroad, contributing to the growing toll of tragedies in the Mediterranean Sea.
Authorities have reiterated their call for citizens to refrain from using illegal migration routes, underscoring the dangers associated with unregulated travel across international waters.
