Pakistan has sent investigative teams to Morocco to probe a migrant boat tragedy that has claimed the lives of at least 86 people, including 66 Pakistanis. The teams, consisting of officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and the Interior Ministry, aim to gather evidence and interview survivors to understand the circumstances surrounding the sinking. The findings will be presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The boat capsized near Morocco’s coast, with the passengers attempting a perilous journey across the Atlantic towards Spain. While it remains unclear how many survived or are still missing, authorities have pledged to crack down on human trafficking networks suspected of facilitating the dangerous migration route. Survivors’ testimonies are expected to be crucial in identifying those responsible for organizing the journey.
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This tragic incident is not an isolated case. Earlier this week, another migrant boat tragedy near Morocco left up to 50 people dead, including 44 Pakistanis. The boat had departed from Mauritania on January 2, carrying 86 migrants, most of whom were Pakistani. Moroccan authorities have rescued 36 survivors, but the boat had been missing for days before the alarm was raised.
In light of the ongoing crisis, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the deaths of several Pakistanis in the latest tragedy and is actively coordinating with local authorities to assist survivors. The embassy in Morocco has reported that the survivors are being housed in a camp near Dakhla, and a Crisis Management Unit has been dispatched to provide support.
