Another boat carrying around 65 people, including Pakistani nationals, capsized off the coast of Libya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) confirmed on Monday.
In an official statement, the FO shared that the Pakistan Embassy in Tripoli reported the incident, stating that the vessel, with approximately 65 passengers on board, sank near the port of Marsa Dela, northwest of Zawiya city in Libya.
The embassy quickly sent a team to Zawiya Hospital to help local authorities identify the victims.
The statement further mentioned that the embassy is actively working to gather more details about the Pakistani nationals affected by the accident. However, it remains unclear whether the individuals on board were migrants.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has activated its Crisis Management Unit to monitor developments closely, coordinating with local officials and providing assistance where required.
For those seeking information or help regarding the incident, the Ministry has shared contact numbers:
- 0305 2185882 (WhatsApp)
- +218913870577 (Cell)
- +218 91-6425435 (WhatsApp)
This unfortunate incident comes just weeks after a similar tragedy last month when a boat carrying 80 passengers capsized off the coast of Morocco.
That vessel was transporting 86 migrants, with Moroccan authorities confirming that 66 were Pakistani nationals. After the disaster, 36 individuals were rescued by Moroccan officials.
The Pakistani embassy in Morocco worked closely with local authorities to facilitate the identification of victims.
Fingerprint data and photographs were shared with NADRA, which verified the identities before compiling and releasing official lists.
The recent surge in such incidents has drawn sharp reactions from the Pakistani government.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to take strict action against human traffickers and officials involved in facilitating illegal migration.
Earlier this month, former FIA Director General Ahmed Ishaque Jehangir dismissed 35 officials for their alleged involvement in human smuggling and negligence in performing their duties.
