In a heart-wrenching incident off the coast of Libya, a vessel carrying around 65 passengers, including Pakistani nationals, tragically capsized, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) confirmed on Monday. According to a statement by the FO, the Pakistan Embassy in Tripoli reported that the boat sank near Marsa Dela, a port northwest of Zawiya city. The embassy has promptly dispatched a team to Zawiya Hospital to work alongside local authorities in identifying the deceased.
The FO noted that efforts are ongoing to gather detailed information on the Pakistani passengers involved in the incident. However, it remains unclear whether those on board were migrants attempting a perilous journey across the Mediterranean.
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To handle the unfolding situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has activated its Crisis Management Unit, which is monitoring developments and coordinating with Libyan officials. The FO also provided contact numbers for families or individuals seeking updates or assistance regarding the tragedy.
This incident comes just weeks after a similar disaster off the coast of Morocco, where a boat carrying 80 passengers capsized. The majority of the passengers on that ill-fated vessel were also Pakistani nationals, with 36 survivors rescued by Moroccan authorities.
The recent spate of tragedies has prompted stern action from the Pakistani government. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for strict measures against human trafficking networks. In response, former FIA Director General Ahmed Ishaque Jehangir removed 35 officials earlier this month for their alleged involvement in human smuggling activities.
