The Foreign Office has confirmed that one Pakistani citizen lost their life in a boat accident near a Greek island.
According to Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, initial reports reveal that the boat capsized near Greece's southern island on Friday. Among the passengers, 47 Pakistanis were rescued, while one death has been confirmed.
The spokesperson stated that it is still unclear how many Pakistani citizens may have died or are missing. The Pakistani embassy in Athens is working closely with the Greek coast guard involved in the search and rescue operation.
Embassy officials have traveled to the island of Crete to meet with the rescued Pakistanis and are providing them with necessary support. Families of those missing have been urged to contact the Pakistani embassy for updates.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, calling human traffickers a "ruthless mafia" that exploits poor individuals by offering false promises in exchange for money. He also emphasized the need for strict action against human traffickers to prevent such incidents.
The Prime Minister directed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to conduct a thorough inquiry into the tragedy and submit a report within five days. He stressed the importance of identifying and punishing those involved in human trafficking and called for strong measures to stop such crimes.
The boat, carrying migrants, sank near the Greek island of Gavdos, resulting in the confirmed deaths of five people. Greek Coast Guard officials continue their search for missing passengers.
According to Reuters, 39 individuals were rescued from the boat, the majority of them Pakistani nationals. The death toll is expected to rise as the search progresses.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior confirmed the deaths of some Pakistani citizens attempting to enter Europe illegally through this route. In a statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned human trafficking, describing it as a "heinous crime" that destroys countless lives and families.
Efforts are underway to investigate the tragedy, and officials are working to support the affected families and survivors.
