1 Pakistani Dead, 47 Rescued in Greek Boat Capsize: Tragic Incident Raises Awareness on Human Trafficking
A tragic incident has unfolded off Greece's southern island of Gavdos where a boat carrying migrants capsized. In the accident, one Pakistani national was killed while 47 Pakistanis have been rescued so far, with a number of others still not accounted for and their numbers unreported.
According to MoFA Pakistan, the boat capsized Saturday, with the Greek Coast Guard and various international agencies undertaking extensive search operations. Reports say that the wooden boat had several Pakistani migrants on board. It capsized as it departed Gavdos while some of the migrants are seen stranded in the waters, reigniting concerns about the illegal trafficking of human beings and its devastating effects.
Search and rescue efforts included the involvement of Greek authorities, Italian Coast Guard, merchant vessels, and naval aircraft. As of Sunday evening, MoFA verified that the identity of 47 rescued Pakistanis has been established through interviews conducted by the Pakistani Embassy in Athens. Survivors were airlifted to Crete where officials from the embassy are assisting them with required provisions and medical aid.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have expressed their condolences over the incident, with Sharif adding that the government will go all out to prevent this sort of human trafficking from happening again. The Pakistani government has activated its Crisis Management Unit to assist the survivors and their families, and the Embassy of Pakistan in Athens is in contact with Greek authorities to ensure the safe return of the rescued Pakistanis.
This is not an isolated incident. Greece, which represents one of the most important gates for migrants trying to enter the European Union, has witnessed a series of migrant boat disasters in recent years. The Mediterranean Sea remains dangerous and there are tragic shipwrecks, such as the deadly boat disaster off Pylos in June 2023, where hundreds of migrants drowned.
