Libya: At least 16 Pakistani nationals are expected to be dead, near a tragic boat crash near the port of Marsa Dela in the northwest of the city of Zuya, with 37 survivors and about 10 people missing.
In response to the incident, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed the authorities to take speedy and decisive action against human smugglers responsible for such a dangerous journey.
So far included in the deadlist list:
Sakilin Haider (Karma, KP)
Sirajuddin (Bajur, KP)
Shoaib Hussein (Karma, KP)
Nusrat Hussain (Karma, KP)
Shoaib Ali (Karam, KP)
Syed Shahzad Hussain (Karam, KP)
Abid Hussein (Karma, KP)
Asif Ali (Karam, KP)
Muhammad Ali Shah (Orakzai, KP)
Moser Hussein (Karma, KP)
Asur Hussain (Karma, KP)
Abid Hussein (Karma, KP)
Masib Hussain (Karma, KP)
Anis Khan (Peshawar, KP)
Ashfaq Hussain (Karma, KP)
Shahid Hussain (Kurram, KP)
The ship was allegedly carrying 65 people in the Mediterranean when it was assisted in the Mediterranean. Upon receiving reports of the accident, the Foreign Office of Pakistan activated a crisis management unit to monitor the evolutionary situation. The Pakistani Embassy in Tepri immediately sent the officials to the Zaviya Hospital to help the identity process and contact local authorities regarding survivors and missing persons.
Officials revealed that one of the 37 survivors has been admitted to the hospital, 33 are in police custody, and three are under the care of the embassy in Tripoli. The embassy is continuing to work with Libyan officials to collect more information and help the families of the victims.
The tragedy echoes a similar incident on January 16 when a boat confronted near Morocco, resulting in the death of more than 45 Pakistani nationals.
Expressing deep concern, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif directed the FIA to accelerate efforts to eliminate human trafficking networks that exploit the weak people abroad.
In its ongoing crackdown, the FIA has allegedly arrested several notorious human smugglers and accused more than 60 officials of meeting these criminal networks. Authorities have called for their commitment to counter human trafficking and protect Pakistani citizens from migration routes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is monitoring the situation and has shared helpline numbers for those seeking help in the tragedy.
