Pakistani authorities have identified 21 nationals among the survivors of a tragic boat accident off the coast of Morocco that resulted in the deaths of 50 migrants, including 44 Pakistanis.
The boat, carrying 86 migrants, departed from Mauritania on January 2, aiming for Spain’s Canary Islands. After 13 days at sea, it capsized near Dakhla, Morocco, with 36 survivors, 21 of whom are Pakistani nationals, Pakistani media reported.
The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the identification of the survivors, releasing their names to the public. Immediate relief efforts have been coordinated through Pakistan’s embassy in Rabat, which has provided food, water, medicine, and clothing to the affected individuals.
The embassy’s consular team is also stationed in Dakhla, where Moroccan authorities have provided shelter and medical assistance to the survivors. The local authorities are actively involved in the relief efforts, ensuring survivors receive the necessary care and support.
Eyewitness accounts from the survivors describe a harrowing journey during which smugglers subjected them to violent abuse, including the brutal tossing of passengers into the sea.
The boat was stranded for several days without supplies, and the situation deteriorated further when smugglers abandoned the vessel, leaving it adrift before it capsized.
While the cause of the boat’s sinking remains under investigation, the tragedy underscores the dangers faced by migrants attempting to reach Europe via irregular routes. Many of those on board were fleeing economic hardship and instability.
In response, the Pakistani government has initiated repatriation efforts for the survivors and is coordinating with Moroccan authorities to bring back the bodies of the deceased. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has pledged continued support for the victims’ families and is committed to increasing efforts against human trafficking to prevent similar tragedies.
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