Hassan Ali, a young Pakistani father, survived a deadly Mediterranean shipwreck. His harrowing journey, costing $7,000 and countless lives, left him with one clear message: “Never, ever take this route.” His ordeal highlights the risks and suffering migrants face in search of a better future.
A Desperate Choice
Hassan, 23, left his village in Punjab, Pakistan, in September 2024. Working as a steel fixer, he earned $150 monthly while struggling to support his family of seven amid soaring living costs. Unable to live with dignity on such earnings, he sought a way out.
To fund his journey, his family sold a small plot of land and his mother’s jewelry, raising $7,100 to pay an agent. Despite fears and stories of failed attempts, Hassan held onto the hope of reaching Europe.
A Grueling Journey Begins
From Sialkot, Hassan’s journey took him through Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Egypt, and finally to Benghazi, Libya. What awaited him there was far from what he had imagined. He was confined in a cramped, filthy warehouse with over 100 men, mostly Pakistanis, for months.
Guards confiscated their belongings, fed them a single piece of bread daily, and allowed only one five-minute bathroom break. Complaints were met with brutal beatings. Many begged to return home, but their pleas were ignored.
A Treacherous Voyage
In early December, Hassan and others were forced onto a wooden boat meant for 40 passengers but carrying more than 80. The sea was rough, with strong winds and massive waves. After 40 hours of terror, the boat capsized.
Hassan, who could not swim, thought he would drown. Miraculously, he grabbed a rope thrown from a nearby merchant navy ship and was pulled to safety. “I held onto it with my life,” he recalls.
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The Human Cost
The two-day rescue operation near Crete saved over 200 people, but dozens remain missing. At least five Pakistanis were confirmed dead, while 47 were rescued. Hassan now resides in a refugee camp near Athens, where he reflects on the risks of such journeys.
Thousands of Pakistanis take similar routes each year, particularly from areas like Gujrat, Sialkot, and Jhelum. According to the UNHCR, over 190,000 migrants reached Europe in 2024, with 94% using the dangerous sea route. Tragically, 2023 was the deadliest year in the Mediterranean since 2016, with more than 3,100 deaths.
A Cautionary Message
Hassan’s ordeal serves as a stark warning. Though he survived, he urges others not to risk their lives. “It’s not worth the danger,” he says, reflecting on the immense suffering he endured.
Now in the Malakasa camp, Hassan hopes to find work and support his family back home. He speaks to his wife and children when he can borrow a phone, cherishing their voices while navigating an uncertain future.
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