The number of Pakistanis who lost their lives in a shipwreck off the coast of Greece has risen to four, according to the Foreign Office on Monday.
Last week, a wooden boat carrying many Pakistani migrants capsized near Greeceβs southern Gavdos Island, resulting in at least five fatalities, according to the coastguard. Witnesses reported that several individuals were still missing as search operations continued. In separate rescue operations, a Malta-flagged cargo ship saved 47 migrants about 40 nautical miles from Gavdos, while a tanker rescued 88 more migrants around 28 nautical miles from the island.
The Foreign Office had initially confirmed one Pakistani fatality and 47 survivors. However, the latest statement from the FO reveals that, based on updated information from Greek authorities, four Pakistanis have now been confirmed dead.
The Pakistani mission in Athens is working closely with Greek officials to assist the survivors and arrange for the repatriation of the bodies.
Greece has long been a key entry point for migrants and refugees from various regions, particularly during the 2015-2016 crisis when nearly one million people arrived on its islands, often traveling in inflatable boats. Migrant boat incidents have become more frequent in recent months, especially near Crete and its smaller neighbor Gavdos.
In June 2023, one of the deadliest Mediterranean boat disasters occurred when an overcrowded vessel capsized off the coast of Pylos, Greece, with at least 209 Pakistanis on board. Earlier in April 2023, Pakistanis were also among those killed in two separate boat accidents off the coast of western Libya. Furthermore, in February 2023, 59 people, including several Pakistanis, died when a boat carrying migrants collided with rocks along Italy’s southern coast.
