Once again, a boat carrying migrants, including many Pakistanis, capsized near Greece in the deep sea. The tragedy occurred after the boat collided with a ship in the deep ocean. According to media reports, every Pakistani migrant paid more than 2 million rupees to the agent to reach Europe illegally via boats from Libya.
In the latest tragedy, about 31 Pakistanis (out of 80+) on board the ill-fated boat are missing while the bodies of nine have been recovered. In other words, each Pakistani victim has paid millions of rupees to materialize their dream of reaching Europe, but the journey ended in their death. Almost every month, a similar tragedy occurs near the coasts of European countries, but Pakistanis and other countries youngsters are still taking the risk of falling into the death trap.
Investigation and Crackdown on Human Smuggling
Following the tragedy, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, under the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has formed an investigation committee led by the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Interior. The committee has been tasked with completing its investigation and submitting findings within five days.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has also been directed to launch nationwide operations against human smuggling networks.
Survivors’ Accounts: A Journey of Horror
Pakistani survivors have shared chilling details of the tragic journey. They revealed that the vessel lacked a proper engine, communication equipment (such as a walkie-talkie), and even a qualified boat-driver.
The survivors said they departed from Libya on December 11 after being stranded there for more than a month. The incident occurred late Friday night when the sea conditions were extremely rough.
Decrying their dire circumstances, survivors shared that they lack clothes and shoes and have urgently appealed to authorities for assistance and relief.
Earlier, the Foreign Office confirmed that 47 Pakistanis were among those rescued in the recent boat tragedy off the coast of Greece. The incident occurred near a southern Greek island, involving a vessel carrying migrants attempting to enter Europe illegally.
A Foreign Office spokesperson shared that preliminary reports have confirmed the death of one Pakistani national. However, the exact number of missing and deceased Pakistani citizens has yet to be definitively determined.
The Pakistani embassy in Athens is in ongoing contact with local authorities to gather more information and provide assistance. Embassy staff have already arrived at the site to meet with the rescued Pakistanis and offer necessary support. The spokesperson reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to helping its citizens abroad in times of crisis and highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts to prevent such tragic incidents.
Migrant boat sinks near Spain
Meanwhile, at least four young Pakistani men tragically suffocated while attempting to migrate to Spain via a boat journey from Mauritania. One of the victims, identified as Abu Huraira from Jinnah Colony, Wazirabad, had left home two months ago without informing his family of his plans to reach Europe.
The other three men aboard remain unidentified. Reports indicate that the victims were hidden in the boat’s cargo compartment to avoid detection, which led to their suffocation due to a lack of ventilation.
Abu Huraira’s family received the heartbreaking news from the agent who arranged the voyage, who explained that the men were concealed among the cargo. Recognized through images shared on social media, Abu Huraira was married just two years ago, and his funeral prayers in absentia have already been held in a local park in Wazirabad.
Efforts are ongoing to gather more information about the identities of the other three deceased men and their families.
This incident follows another tragedy on August 26, when at least 13 people lost their lives and 14 went missing after a migrant boat sank off the coast of Yemen, highlighting the dangers of perilous migration routes. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that the vessel had departed from Djibouti with 25 Ethiopian migrants and two Yemeni nationals. As search operations continue, the cause of the shipwreck remains unclear.
Another boat sinks in Nigeria
At least 150 people are missing after a boat capsized in western Nigeria. This tragic incident occurred in the first week of October 2024. The incident occurred late Tuesday night in the Mokwa region, according to Abdullahi Baba, director general of the Niger State emergency agency. The boat was reportedly carrying around 300 individuals who were en route to an annual Muslim religious celebration. Rescue efforts are currently underway to find more survivors.
In a separate incident on September 15, eight migrants lost their lives when their overcrowded vessel sank while attempting to cross the English Channel from France to England. This tragedy brings the total number of migrants who have died trying to reach England from France this year to 46, a significant increase from just 12 in 2023.
Both the French and British governments have been working to curtail the flow of migrants, many of whom pay smugglers thousands of euros to make the perilous journey on overcrowded inflatable boats.
In July, a similar tragedy occurred off the coast of Mauritania, where at least 15 migrants died and dozens went missing after their boat capsized, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and local sources.
Casualties were reported in a boat tragedy off the coast of Spain’s Canary Islands
A tragic incident occurred off the coast of Spain’s Canary Islands when a boat carrying migrants capsized overnight, resulting in the deaths of at least nine individuals and leaving 48 others missing. This fatal incident has been reported in the month of September 2024.
According to the National Maritime Rescue Service, the boat had 84 people on board when it encountered distress. A distress call was received shortly after midnight from an area off El Hierro, one of the islands in the Canary archipelago, prompting a rescue mission. Twenty-seven people were saved, but the fate of the remaining passengers remains uncertain.
This tragedy follows another devastating event in early September when 39 migrants lost their lives after their boat sank off the coast of Senegal. They, too, were attempting a dangerous crossing to the Canary Islands, a gateway from which many hoped to reach mainland Europe.
Unfortunately, these perilous journeys often result in loss of life as overcrowded, poorly maintained boats are no match for the powerful Atlantic currents. In recent years, thousands of migrants have perished while attempting to reach Europe via the Atlantic.
The journey is particularly treacherous due to the strong ocean currents and the long distances that some boats must travel, with some departing from African shores as far as 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from the Canary Islands. Many of the boats are in poor condition, leaving them vulnerable to capsizing or sinking.
Spain has been grappling with the increasing number of migrants attempting to reach its shores. As of mid-August, 22,304 migrants had arrived in the Canary Islands since the start of the year, a significant increase compared to 9,864 during the same period the previous year.
In response to the crisis, Spain’s prime minister visited Mauritania and The Gambia in late August to sign cooperation agreements aimed at curbing human smuggling while also expanding legal immigration channels.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency, estimates that since 2014, at least 4,857 people have died attempting to cross the Atlantic to reach the Canary Islands.
However, many aid organizations believe this number is severely underreported. Caminando Fronteras, a Spanish NGO that assists migrants, estimates that the true death toll is much higher, with 18,680 migrants having died trying to reach Europe over the same period.
These tragic incidents highlight the dangers faced by migrants and the urgent need for improved safety measures and policies to address the ongoing migration crisis.
Why the migrant boats are sinking near Europe?
The sinking of migrant boats near Europe is a tragic and complex issue caused by a combination of factors, including unsafe vessels, desperate journeys, and broader systemic challenges. Here’s a breakdown of the main reasons:
1. Overcrowded and Unsafe Boats
Unseaworthy vessels: Many boats used by human traffickers are old, poorly maintained, or not designed for open-sea travel.
Overcrowding: Smugglers maximize profits by cramming as many people as possible onto small boats, making them unstable and prone to capsizing.
Lack of safety equipment: Many boats lack life jackets, navigation tools, or emergency supplies, leaving passengers vulnerable in case of emergencies.
2. Human Smuggling Networks
Profit-driven smugglers: Traffickers exploit migrants’ desperation, offering dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean with little regard for safety.
Deliberate sabotage: Some smugglers intentionally damage or abandon boats at sea to avoid detection by authorities, leaving migrants stranded.
3. Dangerous Sea Routes
Rough waters: The Mediterranean, particularly during winter, has unpredictable weather and strong currents that can overwhelm small boats.
Long journeys: Migrants often attempt to cross vast stretches of open water from North Africa or the Middle East to Europe, increasing the risk of sinking.
4. Lack of Legal Migration Pathways
Desperation to escape: Many migrants fleeing war, persecution, poverty, or climate change have no legal means to seek asylum or migrate, forcing them to take perilous journeys.
Barriers to safe routes: Strict immigration policies and limited resettlement programs push migrants toward illegal and dangerous options.
5. Delayed Search and Rescue Operations
Insufficient patrols: Some areas lack adequate rescue operations or coordinated responses to migrant boats in distress.
Political resistance: Some European governments have reduced search-and-rescue missions, citing concerns that such efforts encourage migration.
Pushback policies: Migrant boats are sometimes intercepted and forced back to unsafe countries, leaving them at risk during the return journey.
6. Climate and Environmental Factors
Rising sea levels: Climate-related displacement is driving more people to flee their homes, increasing the number of dangerous crossings.
Extreme weather: Changing weather patterns make sea crossings more hazardous.
7. Political and Economic Instability in Departure Countries
War and conflict: Ongoing crises in countries like Libya, Syria, and Sudan force people to flee, often via dangerous routes.
Lack of governance: In some regions, weak governments allow smugglers to operate freely, facilitating unsafe migration.
8. Lack of Coordinated International Action
Divided policies: European countries often disagree on how to handle migrants, leading to inconsistent responses.
Limited funding: Underfunded rescue missions and migrant support programs exacerbate the crisis.
Criminalization of NGOs: Some countries have criminalized non-governmental organizations (NGOs) conducting search-and-rescue operations, reducing assistance for boats in distress.
Possible Solutions
Expand legal migration channels: Provide more safe and legal pathways for asylum-seekers and migrants.
Crack down on smuggling networks: Strengthen international efforts to dismantle trafficking rings.
Improve rescue operations: Increase funding and cooperation for search-and-rescue missions in the Mediterranean.
Address root causes: Invest in stabilizing conflict zones and addressing poverty and climate change in origin countries.
Shared responsibility: Ensure European countries collaborate to fairly distribute asylum-seekers and support migrants.
The ongoing loss of life in these tragedies underscores the urgent need for coordinated action to protect migrants and prevent further disasters. Let me know if you’d like to dive deeper into any specific aspect!
