One Pakistani dead, dozens missing as 47 rescued in Greek boat tragedies
A series of boat capsizing incidents near Greece has resulted in multiple fatalities, including one confirmed Pakistani national, while dozens remain missing. The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) confirmed that one Pakistani national died in the Crete incident, while 47 others were rescued. However, officials cautioned that the total number of Pakistani casualties and missing individuals is yet to be determined.
“The Ministry’s Crisis Management Unit (CMU) has been activated to oversee rescue efforts and assist affected Pakistani nationals,” MoFA stated. Embassy officials in Athens are in close contact with the Greek Coast Guard and have traveled to Crete to provide assistance to the rescued Pakistanis. Families of missing individuals have been advised to contact the CMU via telephone or email for updates. The Pakistani Embassy in Greece is also coordinating directly with local authorities and providing support to the victims and their families.
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The most recent incident occurred near Gavdos, a small island south of Crete, where a wooden boat carrying migrants capsized. The Greek Coast Guard reported at least five confirmed deaths, while dozens remain unaccounted for. Witnesses said the boat was carrying migrants trying to reach Europe illegally. In earlier incidents, 39 migrants, primarily of Pakistani origin, were rescued from another capsized vessel by passing cargo ships. These individuals were later transferred to Crete.
Greek authorities launched a large-scale rescue operation involving coast guard boats, merchant ships, Italian naval vessels, and aircraft. The search is ongoing as officials continue to scour the sea for survivors. A crisis response has also been initiated by Pakistani authorities to address the needs of affected nationals.
Contact Details for Families
Pakistani families seeking information about their loved ones can contact the CMU at:
- Phone: +92-51-9207887
- Email: [email protected]
Families can also reach the Pakistani Embassy in Greece directly at:
- Phone: +30-6943850188
In another incident, a Malta-flagged cargo ship rescued 47 migrants from a sinking vessel 40 nautical miles off Gavdos. Separately, a tanker saved 88 migrants from a boat foundering 28 nautical miles south of another small Greek island. Preliminary investigations suggest that these boats likely departed together from Libya, carrying migrants attempting to enter Europe illegally.
Rescue efforts have been supported by merchant ships and international naval forces. Despite these efforts, officials fear the death toll could rise, given the challenging conditions and the number of missing individuals.
Greece has been a major transit point for migrants from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia seeking entry into Europe. Since the 2015-2016 migration crisis, over one million individuals have risked their lives attempting to cross the Mediterranean via Greece. The islands of Crete and Gavdos have witnessed a surge in boat-related tragedies in recent years.
One of the most devastating incidents occurred in 2023 near the Greek town of Pylos, where an overcrowded fishing trawler carrying an estimated 750 migrants capsized. The boat, designed to carry 400 passengers, was severely overloaded, resulting in 82 confirmed deaths. Among the passengers were approximately 400 Pakistanis, alongside migrants from Afghanistan, Syria, Egypt, and Palestine. This incident remains one of the deadliest migrant shipwrecks in the Mediterranean.
The latest tragedies have reignited calls for stricter measures against human smuggling. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Pakistani lives and condemned human smuggling as a heinous crime. He directed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to launch a thorough investigation into the incidents and present a detailed report.
Interior Minister Naqvi, following the Prime Minister’s directive, has formed a committee led by the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Interior. The committee has been tasked with conducting an inquiry into the tragedy and submitting its findings within five days. Naqvi also directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to intensify operations against human smuggling networks across Pakistan.
“These mafias destroy families with their false promises and exploit vulnerable individuals for profit. They must be eradicated,” Naqvi stated.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari have both expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of Pakistani lives in a recent boat capsizing near Greece. The prime minister condemned human trafficking as a heinous crime that exploits vulnerable individuals with false promises, resulting in devastating losses for families.
He directed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to investigate the incident thoroughly and submit a report promptly, emphasizing the need to identify and strictly punish those responsible. President Zardari extended condolences to the victims’ families, urging expedited efforts to combat human smuggling networks and prevent such tragedies.
Both leaders stressed the importance of concrete measures to dismantle human trafficking networks and protect citizens from exploitation. They highlighted the need for stricter enforcement and comprehensive strategies to prevent illegal migration, which often leads to catastrophic consequences. The government remains committed to addressing this issue, ensuring justice for the victims, and taking preventive steps to avoid such incidents in the future.
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