The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Tuesday said that initial reportssuggested that four Pakistanis had died when the boat capsized near BenGhazi, Libya.
In a tweet, the ministry said that the Pakistani Embassy in the Libyancapital Tripoli was ‘facilitating the process of transportation of themortal remains to Pakistan.’
At least 62 migrants died after their overloaded boat sank two days ago, onFebruary 26, 2023 (Sunday) in stormy seas off Italy’s southern Calabriaregion, officials said.
According to initial reports, 28 Pakistanis were among the deceased.
However, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Monday said asenior embassy official has met with 16 Pakistani survivors.
“They seemed in good physical condition. According to them, there were 20Pakistanis on the ship,” the spokesperson said in a tweet.
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“[The] embassy is in close contact with Italian authorities to verify thestatus of four missing Pakistanis.”
The vessel, which had set sail from Turkiye’s Izmir port four days ago, waswrecked in stormy weather near Steccato di Cutro, a seaside resort on theeastern coast of Calabria, according to Reuters.
Rescuers said many Afghans and some Iranians were also on board.
