ISLAMABAD — There are grave concerns for over 40 Pakistanis believed to have perished when a boat capsized off the Atlantic coast of West Africa, an area that has become a significant departure point for migrants seeking entry to Europe.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his sorrow over the tragic incident, emphasizing the urgency for comprehensive measures to combat human trafficking.
Zardari’s remarks followed a report from the Spain-based migrant advocates at Walking Borders, who stated that approximately 50 individuals lost their lives during their attempt to reach the Canary Islands, with 44 of the deceased being from Pakistan. The migrants reportedly embarked on their perilous journey on January 2.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also conveyed his condolences regarding the tragic event.
According to information relayed to Pakistan from its embassy in Morocco, a vessel carrying 80 individuals, which included several Pakistanis, set sail from Mauritania before capsizing near Dakhla, a Moroccan port city situated within the disputed region of Western Sahara.
The vast majority of the Pakistani passengers hailed from cities in eastern Punjab province. In an effort to offer support, relatives of the victims flocked to their homes as some survivors managed to establish contact with their families, officials indicated.
In a village named Dhola in Gujrat district, Ahsan Shehzad shared the heartbreaking news of his son, Sufyan Ali, who tragically lost his life in the incident. He recounted receiving a voice message where Sufyan mentioned the boat was overcrowded and that 25 additional individuals had boarded forcibly.
Ahsan urged the government to facilitate the return of his son’s and nephew’s bodies.
Another gathering of mourners took place in Jurah, another village in Gujrat, where Muhammad Akram expressed his grief over the loss of his son, Abu Bakar. He recounted having paid substantial sums to human traffickers to enable his son’s migration. He was unaware that Abu Bakar would be forced onto a boat for the next segment of his journey.
Meanwhile, in Daska, Punjab, the families of two men revealed that they had to liquidate assets and arrange large sums of money to pay smugglers sending Arslan Ahmed and Mohammad Arfan abroad in search of employment opportunities. Ahmed’s mother shared that while she had received information indicating some survivors were alive, she had yet to communicate with her son. Razia Bibi, Arfan’s mother, called for authorities to locate her son and ensure his safe return.
Each year, millions of individuals migrate illegally to Europe, yet most undertake this journey through lawful means. Reports indicate that fewer than 240,000 people were documented crossing into Europe without proper paperwork last year, as per data from the European Union’s border agency, Frontex.
As measures to hinder migration and smuggling from Mediterranean countries have intensified, migrants are increasingly resorting to riskier routes. In 2024, over 50,000 migrants, including 178 Pakistanis, made the treacherous passage from northwest Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands, as per Frontex figures.
In a report released last week, Walking Borders highlighted that 9,757 individuals have either died or gone missing while attempting to reach the islands, dubbing this route “the deadliest in the world.” Despite being merely 65 miles (105 kilometers) from the nearest African point, many migrants opt for lengthier journeys to evade patrols, which can last several days or weeks. The majority departed from Mauritania, located at least 473 miles (762 kilometers) from the nearest Canary Island, El Hierro.
The foreign ministry of Pakistan confirmed that several survivors, including Pakistanis, are currently being housed in a camp near Dakhla. The Pakistani Embassy in Morocco is liaising with local authorities, and officials have traveled to Dakhla to assist the survivors, according to a ministry announcement.
While the ministry did not disclose the death toll for Pakistani nationals, officials were not immediately available for commentary.
Every year, numerous Pakistanis lose their lives attempting to reach Europe via land and sea facilitated by human smugglers. In 2023, an estimated 350 Pakistanis were aboard an overloaded fishing vessel that sank off Greece, making it one of the Mediterranean’s deadliest incidents.
In response to these tragic events, Pakistan has announced a crackdown on human trafficking networks.
