The Foreign Office (FO) confirmed on Tuesday that four Pakistani nationals were among 11 people who died in a recent shipwreck near Libya’s Harawa coast. The tragic incident occurred near Sirte City in eastern Libya.
“Our mission in Tripoli has reported that a vessel carrying foreign nationals sank near Harawa. A team from the Pakistan embassy confirmed the recovery of 11 bodies. Four of them have been identified as Pakistanis through national documents,” said the FO in a press release.
Two of the recovered bodies remain unidentified. No details were provided regarding the exact timing of the accident.
Pakistan Embassy Actively Investigating
The FO stated that the Pakistani embassy in Tripoli was working closely with local authorities. Efforts are underway to gather more information about the deceased and their families.
The Crisis Management Unit (CMU) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been activated to monitor the situation. Citizens seeking updates can contact the CMU at (051-9207887) or email cmu1@mofa.gov.pk.
Additionally, embassy officials in Tripoli, including Head of Chancery Ashfaque Ali (+92-305-2185882) and Public Relations Officer Hassan Saleem (+218-91-8644064), are available for support.
Recurring Migrant Tragedies
This is not the first such tragedy involving Pakistani migrants. In February, dozens were feared dead after a boat sank near Marsa Dela port, northwest of Zawiya, Libya. The vessel had around 65 passengers onboard.
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In January, another boat carrying 80 migrants capsized off the Moroccan coast. Thirteen Pakistanis were confirmed dead. Reports said over 40 others were allegedly murdered by human traffickers. Only 22 people survived.
Previous Incidents Raise Alarm
In December 2023, about 40 Pakistanis died in multiple boat capsizes off the Greek coast. Thirty-five were presumed dead, while 47 were rescued.
Following investigations, 50 Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials were dismissed for alleged ties with human traffickers. Another 65 FIA officials were blacklisted from immigration-related postings.
To prevent illegal travel, the FIA introduced strict screening measures at all airports. In January alone, 2,500 passengers were offloaded at Lahore airport under this policy.
Deadliest Disaster in Recent Memory
In June 2023, one of the worst boat tragedies occurred when an overcrowded vessel sank off Pylos, Greece. At least 209 Pakistanis were among the victims.
Earlier in April, Pakistanis were also among dozens killed when two migrant boats sank off the western Libyan coast.
In February 2023, 59 migrants, including Pakistanis, died when their boat hit rocks near southern Italy.
A National Tragedy
These repeated incidents highlight the grave risks of illegal migration. The Pakistani government continues to call for public awareness and cooperation in preventing such tragedies.
“Human life is too valuable to be left in the hands of traffickers,” said a senior official, urging citizens to choose legal and safe migration routes.
PM Shehbaz Sharif Grieved Over Libya Boat Tragedy
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed profound grief over the tragic boat capsizing near Harawa coast, close to Sirte City in Eastern Libya. The incident claimed at least 11 lives, including four Pakistani nationals.
In a statement shared on his official X handle, the Prime Minister said:
“Our mission and the Foreign Office are working closely with local authorities to retrieve the remains of our deceased citizens.”
Vows of Justice and Accountability
Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the criminal networks behind such deadly journeys. He assured the nation that the government was taking decisive action against those responsible for luring innocent people into these dangerous ventures.
“We will continue to come down hard on such elements. No family should have to carry the coffins of their loved ones due to such tragic and avoidable accidents,” he said.
Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts
The Foreign Office earlier confirmed the recovery of 11 bodies from the site, with four identified as Pakistanis through official documents. Two bodies remain unidentified. The Pakistan Embassy in Tripoli is actively coordinating with local authorities to gather more information and assist affected families.
Call for Awareness and Caution
The Prime Minister urged citizens to avoid falling prey to false promises of traffickers. He emphasized the importance of choosing legal, safe, and dignified ways of seeking opportunities abroad.
“The government stands with every grieving family, and we will do everything in our power to ensure justice,” he concluded.
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