WORLD
21 Pakistanis among survivors in Moroccan boat tragedy: Foreign Ministry

Islamabad, Hilal Ahmad, 19 January, AZERTAC
The Pakistani government had confirmed that its 21 citizens are among survivors in the Moroccan boat tragedy. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry on Sunday said that based on verified information, twenty-one Pakistani nationals have been identified among the survivors of a maritime incident near Dakhla, Morocco.
Ministry in its statement said that through the diplomatic mission in Rabat, immediate assistance has been mobilized for the affected nationals. The Pakistani embassy has arranged essential provisions including food, water, medicine and clothing. Local authorities in Dakhla are providing shelter and medical care in response to our diplomatic outreach.
The Pakistani embassy's consular team is currently present in Dakhla to oversee relief operations and coordinate with local authorities. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry further stated that the government remains in close coordination with relevant authorities in Morocco to ensure comprehensive support for our affected citizens and finalize repatriation procedures. We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of overseas Pakistanis and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
It is worth mentioning that a boat carrying 80 migrants capsized near the Moroccan port of Dakhla, leaving at least 50 dead, including 44 Pakistani nationals. According to media reports, 44 out of a total of 65 Pakistani immigrants on board the boat drowned or died after torture by the human smugglers.
Soon after the incident, a high-ranking Pakistani government official team was formed to assess the situation and ascertain the facts about the boat tragedy. The survivors and the dead bodies are in Dakhla near the coast of Morocco. The boat departed from Mauritania on January 2 was carrying over 80 migrants including Pakistanis.