ATHENS(AFP)-In a heart-wrenching incident, an overloaded boat en route from Libya to Greece capsized in the open seas, resulting in the loss of lives and leaving numerous people missing. Startling data obtained by Reuters from a Pakistani investigative agency indicates that at least 209 Pakistanis were on board the ill-fated vessel. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) disclosed that families of the victims had come forward, reporting their relatives’ involvement in the perilous journey. The official death toll currently stands at 82, with 104 survivors identified, including 12 Pakistani nationals.
Rana Abdul Jabbar, the FIA Islamabad Zone Director, stated that an ongoing investigation is being conducted to verify the reported figures. Given the gravity of the situation, the Pakistani government has entrusted the FIA with the responsibility of leading the inquiry into the tragedy. This devastating incident is considered one of the worst maritime disasters to have occurred in the region in recent years, as hundreds of people from various countries are believed to have been aboard the ill-fated boat.
While Pakistan has yet to officially confirm the exact number of its citizens affected by the tragedy, efforts are underway to assist Greece in identifying the deceased through DNA sampling. The FIA’s data revealed that among the victims, 181 individuals hailed from Pakistan, while 28 were from Pakistan-administered Kashmir. To facilitate the identification process, DNA samples were collected from 201 bereaved families.
Eyewitness testimonies have shed light on the dire circumstances leading up to the disaster. It is estimated that between 400 and 750 individuals were crammed onto the 20- to 30-meter-long fishing boat, which tragically capsized and sank approximately 50 miles off the southern coastal town of Pylos on June 14. In response to this horrific incident, Pakistani authorities have made 29 arrests thus far, targeting suspected human smugglers linked to the case.
Greece has taken swift action by apprehending nine Egyptian men allegedly involved in the shipwreck, marking it as the deadliest maritime incident in the Mediterranean Sea this year. The accused individuals are currently in custody awaiting trial; however, they maintain their innocence.
This devastating boat tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the perilous journey undertaken by migrants in search of a better life, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and comprehensive international cooperation to prevent such calamities in the future.
