Toll of Pakistanis feared dead in Greece boat tragedy hits 40

ISLAMABAD: A report by the Pakistan Embassy in Athens has confirmed that at least 40 Pakistani nationals perished in the sinking of three boats. Five bodies have been recovered, but 35 others are still missing, with slim chances of survival.

The Greek Coast Guard has called off the rescue operation at sea and the missing travellers should be presumed dead, the report said. Official sources said that there are still around 5,000 Pakistanis in Libya, waiting to go to Europe, and they are with various Pakistani and Libyan agents. They have reached Libya legally with visas from Pakistan, added the sources.

The Pak Embassy report further stated that three boats — which capsized in Greek territorial waters — had departed from Libya’s Tobruk port. A total of 45 people were on board the first vessel, of which six were Pakistanis. Whereas, the second boat included five Pakistani citizens out of the total 47 passengers. The third boat was carrying 83 people including 76 Pakistanis, three Bangladeshis, two Egyptians and two Sudanese nationals. A total of 39 people were rescued from the third vessel of which 36 were Pakistanis.

The five bodies fished out were of passengers travelling in the third boat, with the deceased identified as Pakistanis. Four victims were identified as Sufyan, Rehman Ali, Haji Ahmed and Abid, while the fifth victim was yet to be identified. The deceased hailed from Sialkot, Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin. Furthermore, 39 people are still missing from the third vessel, of which 35 are Pakistanis. The report also noted that a Sudanese driver, who was among the rescued individuals, had been taken into custody. All the rescued Pakistani nationals have been shifted to Malakasa refugee camp, located 40 kilometres from Athens.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the authorities to take concrete action against human trafficking. While chairing a meeting to discuss the death of Pakistani nationals and the measures taken to curb human trafficking, the premier, called for strict action against those involved in human trafficking. He also sought a report on the incidents of human trafficking during the last year.

Shehbaz recalled that 262 Pakistani nationals had lost their lives in another incident in the same area last year and expressed his displeasure over inaction against those responsible. “The recurrence of such incidents is due to the sluggish actions against the people involved,” he added. He ordered for immediate implementation of the Integrated Border Management System to monitor international travellers.

During the briefing, he was told that 174 people involved in human trafficking had been produced before courts with four of them convicted. The premier sought details on the public awareness campaign on human trafficking and asked the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to furnish a report on the incidents involving Pakistani nationals over the last year. He also stressed the need to enhance collaboration with international institutions to prevent the recurrence of such tragic incidents.

In a related development, the Foreign Office announced activating its Crisis Management Unit to assist Pakistanis in Greece. Pakistani nationals in Greece and their families were urged to contact the CMU via telephone at 051-9207887 or by email at cmu1@mofa.gov.pk. Families of the missing Pakistanis can also reach the Embassy of Pakistan in Greece to provide details at +30-6943850188.