16 Pakistanis drowned in Libya boat tragedy

As many as 16 Pakistani nationals were killed in a tragic boat accident off the coast of Libya while the prime minister has ordered swift action against the human traffickers, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to sources, seven of the drowned Pakistani victims have been identified as a relevant team of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) visited the accident site in Libya.

The team identified the bodies of seven Pakistanis with the help of passports and other identification documents. Six deceased Pakistanis belonged to Kurram district while one was a resident of Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

After learning about the boat tragedy, Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Monday set up a Crisis Management Unit after a vessel carrying approximately 65 passengers capsized near the port of Marsa Dela, North West of Zawiya city, Libya. “Our Embassy in Tripoli has informed that a vessel carrying approximately 65 passengers capsized near the port of Marsa Dela, North West of Zawiya city, Libya.”

The Pakistan Embassy in Tripoli immediately dispatched a team to Zawiya Hospital to assist the local authorities in the identification of the deceased.

Besides, the Crisis Management Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been activated to monitor the situation. For any query related to this incident, the following numbers can be contacted:

Parep Tripoli
03052185882(WhatsApp)
+218913870577(Cell)
+218 91-6425435(WhatsApp)

Crisis Management Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamabad, Phone No: 051-9207887, Email: cmu1@mofa.gov.pk

PM orders action

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed profound sorrow and deep condolences over the tragic boat accident off the coast of Libya, which resulted in the loss of several Pakistani lives, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

PM Shehbaz Sharif prayed for the elevation of the souls of the deceased and conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to their grieving families, said a Prime Minister’s Office news release issued in Islamabad on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured the aggrieved families of the government’s full support during this difficult time. He also sought a detailed report from the relevant authorities on the incident and directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to expedite the identification process of the deceased.

He also emphasized that all necessary assistance should be provided to the affected individuals.

Highlighting the ongoing fight against human trafficking, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif vowed to take stringent action against those involved in such heinous activities. “No leniency will be tolerated in this matter, and we are taking strong measures to combat human trafficking,” he stated.

Reporters Tayyab Saif and Awais Kiyani