Pakistan has sent fact-finding teams to Morocco to investigate a migrant boat tragedy that left dozens dead, officials said.
The teams, made up of officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Interior Ministry, will gather evidence and interview survivors to determine the circumstances of the sinking, said a senior FIA official to journalists, Express News reported.
“The teams will gather videos, photos and other documents to ensure a thorough investigation,” the official said, adding that their findings will be presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
At least 86 people were on board when the ship capsized near the Moroccan coast, including 66 Pakistanis, according to initial reports.
It is still unclear how many survived or are still missing.
The authorities have promised to crack down on human trafficking networks suspected of facilitating this perilous journey. Testimonies from survivors will be key to identifying those responsible, officials said.
Earlier this week, a tragic incident involving migrants trying to reach Spain from West Africa may have cost the lives of 50 people, including 44 Pakistanis, according to migrant rights group Walking Borders .
The group reported Thursday that the boat, which left Mauritania on January 2, was carrying 86 migrants, including 66 Pakistanis. Moroccan authorities rescued 36 people from the boat on Wednesday.
The migrants were part of a larger wave attempting to make the perilous journey across the Atlantic to the Canary Islands.
Walking Borders, based in Madrid and Navarra, revealed that the boat had been missing for days before the alarm was raised.
Six days ago, the group informed authorities in all affected countries of the boat’s disappearance.
The non-governmental organization Alarm Phone, which helps migrants lost at sea, also contacted the Spanish maritime rescue service on January 12, but it reportedly had no information about the boat.
Walking Borders has recorded a record number of deaths in 2024, with 10,457 migrants – around 30 a day – dying as they try to reach Spain, mainly along the Atlantic route from African countries from the West like Mauritania and Senegal.
The Canary Islands, a key destination for many migrants, have become a major site on this deadly migratory route.
Helena Maleno, CEO of Walking Borders, shared on social media that 44 of the victims were from Pakistan, describing the ordeal as a 13-day journey of suffering and anguish without relief assistance.
The tragedy sparked outrage among local authorities and humanitarian groups.
The embassy is in contact with local authorities, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry confirmed the deaths of several Pakistanis in the migrant boat accident and said the embassy was in contact with local authorities.
The embassy in Morocco reported that a boat carrying 80 passengers, including several Pakistanis, capsized near the port of Dakhla in Morocco, while it was leaving Mauritania while the survivors, including Pakistanis, are currently residing in a camp near Dakhla.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs activated its crisis management unit and dispatched a team to Dakhla to provide assistance.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar directed relevant authorities to ensure all possible assistance to the affected Pakistanis.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also published contact details for assistance:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamabad: 051-9207887, Email: [email protected]
Embassy of Pakistan in Rabat: Rabia Kasuri (Chargé d’Affaires) +212 689 52 23 65, Nauman Ali (Consular Assistant) +92 310 2204672.
