Pakistanis Feared Among Victims in Libya Boat Tragedy
KARACHI: Several Pakistani migrants are feared dead after a boat capsized near Marsa Dela port, northwest of Zawiya city in Libya.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the vessel was carrying approximately 65 people at the time of the accident. The Pakistani Embassy in Tripoli has sent a team to a local hospital to identify the deceased and gather further information about those affected.
Efforts to Identify Victims
The Foreign Office stated that its Crisis Management Unit has been activated to monitor the situation closely. Families seeking information about their loved ones can reach the embassy via the following contacts: 03052185882, +218913870577, and +218 91-6425435 (WhatsApp). The Crisis Management Unit in Pakistan can also be contacted at 051-9207887.
While official confirmation regarding the total number of casualties and their identities is still pending, Libyan media sources have reported at least 10 fatalities. The Libyan Red Crescent recovered these bodies following reports from the Zawiya Security Directorate and the Coast Guard.
Libya: A Dangerous Transit Route for Migrants
Libya serves as a key transit hub for migrants attempting to reach Europe. The country remains divided between the UN-recognized government and an opposing authority in the east, led by military commander Khalifa Haftar. This ongoing political instability has allowed human traffickers to exploit migrants seeking passage to Europe.
Pakistani authorities have noted that human smugglers frequently transport migrants to Libya before either sending them on dangerous sea journeys to Europe or moving them further into West African coastal regions like Morocco and Mauritania.
Just last month, over 40 Pakistanis were killed by human traffickers off the coast of Morocco. The boat in that incident carried 80 passengers, with only 13 Pakistani victims officially identified, while 22 survived.
Official Response in Pakistan
Following reports of the latest boat disaster, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi contacted the Pakistani embassy to coordinate assistance. He expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and urged officials to provide all necessary support to affected families.
Mass Graves of Migrants Discovered in Libya
Meanwhile, the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) has voiced alarm over the recent discovery of mass graves in southeastern Libya containing dozens of migrant bodies.
Libyan authorities reported that 28 bodies, believed to be sub-Saharan migrants, were found in Kufra near a site where they were allegedly detained and tortured. According to the IOM, one mass grave contained at least 30 bodies, while another in Jakharrah, 400 kilometers south of Benghazi, may have held up to 70 victims.
The UN agency expressed deep concern over the circumstances surrounding these deaths, noting that some bodies bore gunshot wounds. The graves were uncovered during a police raid, which led to the rescue of hundreds of migrants from traffickers.
Authorities also released images showing severely malnourished migrants with scars across their faces, limbs, and backs. Three individuals—one Libyan and two foreign nationals—were arrested in connection with the trafficking operation.
These recent tragedies highlight the ongoing risks faced by migrants as they attempt perilous journeys in search of a better future.
