Pakistan has sent investigative teams to Morocco to probe the tragic capsizing of a migrant boat that left dozens dead, including Pakistani nationals. The teams, composed of officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and the Interior Ministry, aim to gather evidence and interview survivors to determine the cause of the disaster. A senior FIA official confirmed that the investigation findings will be presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Initial reports indicate that the boat was carrying at least 86 people, of which 66 were Pakistanis, when it sank near the Moroccan coast. The exact number of survivors remains unclear, and many passengers are still missing. Pakistani authorities are vowing to crack down on human trafficking networks suspected of orchestrating the dangerous voyage.
Also Read: 44 Pakistanis Among 50 Feared Dead in Tragic Boat Disaster on Way to Spain
This tragedy comes amidst growing concerns over the rise in migrant deaths. Earlier reports from the migrant rights group Walking Borders stated that up to 50 people, including 44 Pakistanis, may have lost their lives in another migrant incident near West Africa. The boat, which set off from Mauritania on January 2, went missing for days before Moroccan authorities rescued 36 survivors on January 17.
Walking Borders, a Madrid-based NGO, revealed the harrowing details of the 13-day journey, describing the ordeal as one filled with suffering and a lack of rescue assistance. The Canary Islands, a common destination for migrants, have become notorious for this deadly migration route, with thousands of deaths reported in 2024.
In response to the tragedy, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the deaths of several nationals and said its embassy in Morocco is working closely with local authorities. The survivors, including Pakistanis, are currently residing in a camp near Dakhla, Morocco. The Foreign Ministry has also activated a Crisis Management Unit to provide assistance, with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar directing relevant authorities to ensure support for the affected Pakistanis.
