LIBYA: A vessel carrying approximately 65 passengers, including several Pakistanis, capsized off the coast of Libya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) confirmed on Monday.
According to a statement released by the Ministry, the Pakistan Embassy in Tripoli reported the tragic incident, which occurred near the port of Marsa Dela, located northwest of Zawiya city in Libya.
The embassy has dispatched a team to Zawiya Hospital to assist local authorities in identifying the deceased. The statement added that efforts are underway to gather more information regarding the Pakistani nationals affected by the incident. It is still unclear whether the passengers aboard the vessel were migrants.
In response to the sinking, the Ministry has activated its Crisis Management Unit to closely monitor the situation and coordinate with local officials to provide necessary assistance. For individuals seeking information or assistance, the Ministry has provided contact numbers:
0305 2185882 (WhatsApp)
+218913870577 (Cell)
+218 91-6425435 (WhatsApp)
This incident follows a similar tragedy that occurred last month near Morocco, where a boat carrying 80 passengers capsized. Of the 86 migrants aboard, 66 were reported to be Pakistani nationals. Moroccan authorities rescued 36 survivors from the wreckage.
Following the Morocco tragedy, the Pakistani government expressed strong condemnation, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directing authorities to take stern action against human traffickers and officials complicit in illegal migration operations. Earlier this month, 35 officials were dismissed from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for their involvement in human smuggling operations.
