Death Toll Rises to 40 in Greece Boat Capsize Incident Involving Missing Pakistanis
Missing persons should be presumed dead as Greek Coast Guard has called off rescue efforts
The boat capsize incident off the coast of Greece has resulted in a rising death toll, now confirmed at 40, with 35 Pakistani nationals among the missing and presumed dead.
According to the Pakistani Embassy in Athens, the bodies of 35 people remain missing, with little to no hope of survival, while five bodies have been retrieved.
This unfortunate incident unfolded when rescue operations conducted by Greek authorities on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, concluded without success.
Authorities in Pakistan reported that five individuals from various districts, including Sialkot, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, and Narowal, have been confirmed dead.
The 35 missing Pakistanis were last accounted for after the boat capsized, leading to their presumption of death as hopes for their survival diminished following the end of rescue efforts.
Initial reports indicated that several boats had departed from Libya carrying migrants. While some boats successfully reached safety, one encountered severe issues leading to its capsizing.
In response to this tragedy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for stringent action against human traffickers involved in the transportation of these individuals.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has initiated six new cases against suspects linked to the trafficking operations.
Reports suggest that the FIA has sealed the FIRs to protect the identities of local facilitators involved in this illicit trade.
As reported, three cases were registered with the Gujrat and Gujranwala circles of the FIA, adding that two more suspects were arrested in connection with the boat accident on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, four people have been reportedly detained in connection to the Greece incident.
The Pakistani government is currently coordinating with Greek authorities to assist survivors and repatriate deceased individuals’ bodies.
The situation remains dire as families await news about their loved ones, and authorities continue to grapple with the implications of human trafficking in these tragic circumstances.
