At least 40 Pakistanis are believed to have perished after three boats capsized near Greece, according to a report by the Pakistani Embassy in Athens.
The embassy’s report confirmed that five bodies have been recovered, while 35 individuals remain missing with no prospects of survival. The Greek Coast Guard has officially called off rescue operations.
According to official sources, over 5,000 Pakistanis currently in Libya are reportedly awaiting opportunities to travel to Europe, facilitated by Pakistani and Libyan agents. Many of these individuals had legally obtained visas before arriving in Libya.
The three ill-fated boats departed from Libya’s Tobruk port and entered Greek territorial waters. The first boat carried 45 passengers, six of whom were Pakistanis. The second vessel had 47 people onboard, including five Pakistanis. The third boat carried 83 passengers, including 76 Pakistanis, three Bangladeshis, two Egyptians, and two Sudanese. Among the 39 survivors rescued from the third boat, 36 were Pakistanis.
The retrieved bodies of five Pakistanis from the third vessel have been identified as Sufyan, Rehman Ali, Haji Ahmed, and Abid, with the fifth victim yet to be identified. The victims hailed from Sialkot, Gujrat, and Mandi Bahauddin. Meanwhile, 39 passengers remain missing from the third boat, including 35 Pakistanis. A Sudanese driver, among the survivors, has been detained.
The rescued Pakistanis have been relocated to the Malakasa refugee camp, approximately 40 kilometers from Athens.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for immediate measures to combat human trafficking. He expressed frustration over repeated incidents and directed the implementation of the Integrated Border Management System to monitor international travelers.
He also sought a comprehensive report on human trafficking incidents and emphasized greater collaboration with international institutions to prevent such tragedies.
In a related development, the Foreign Office activated its Crisis Management Unit to assist affected families. Pakistani nationals in Greece and their relatives are advised to contact the CMU via telephone at 051-9207887 or email at [email protected]. Families may also reach the Pakistani Embassy in Greece at +30-6943850188.
