The Greek boat disaster continues to unfold, with dozens of Pakistani nationals still unaccounted for, as confirmed by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Greece, Aamar Aftab Qureshi. The embassy is covering the repatriation costs for the deceased, though hopes of finding survivors have diminished, as the rescue operation persists.
The tragedy, which occurred during an overcrowded illegal migration attempt from Libya, involved five boats, one of which was carrying 80 Pakistanis. The boat sank after a crack formed, causing panic and chaos. Tragically, many of the missing passengers are children.
The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed four deaths, with more feared lost, as the embassy works closely with Greek authorities to recover bodies and assist survivors. One survivor, a man from Gujarat, shared harrowing details of their boat’s collision with a cargo ship, followed by days of rough seas before the vessel capsized. He and his brother were eventually rescued and sent to a camp in Greece.
The incident highlights a disturbing trend of human traffickers using smaller boats to avoid coast guard detection. Over 84 passengers were aboard the doomed boat, primarily from Pakistan, with a few Egyptians and Sudanese. The victims’ ages ranged from 15 to 40, with most in their late twenties.
In response to the tragedy, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to crack down on the “cruel mafia” behind human trafficking, calling for swift justice to prevent further loss of life. President Asif Zardari also condemned human trafficking as a heinous crime causing immeasurable suffering.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE