Around 50 migrants, including 44 Pakistanis, have reportedly died after a makeshift boat attempting to reach Spain from Mauritania capsized off the coast of Morocco, the Samaa outlet reported without precising the exact location.
The vessel, carrying approximately 86 people, including 66 Pakistanis, departed Mauritania on January 2 and was heading towards Spain. The boat capsized after spending 13 days at sea.
The incident occurred last week, but Mali’s Ministry of Malians Abroad confirmed the incident on Thursday, reporting that only 11 survivors were rescued. The ministry has established a crisis unit to support the affected families. This is one of the many recent incidents highlighting the risks migrants face along the Atlantic route, considered one of the deadliest migration pathways in the world.
In Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have expressed deep grief over the deaths of Pakistani nationals in the boat accident, according to Pakistan Radio.
President Zardari highlighted the importance of implementing effective measures to curb human trafficking.
Prime Minister Sharif requested a report on the incident from concerned officials, vowing stern action against those responsible for human smuggling. He assured that “no negligence will be tolerated” and reiterated the government’s commitment to combating human trafficking.
The Pakistani official directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to urgently ascertain the facts and coordinate with Moroccan authorities to locate the missing, rescue survivors, and repatriate the bodies of the deceased.
He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to continue its crackdown on human traffickers and agents preying on vulnerable individuals.