4 Pakistanis among 11 dead in latest Mediterranean migrant tragedy

At least four Pakistani citizens have been confirmed dead after a migrant vessel capsized off Libya's eastern coast, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday, marking the latest in a series of deadly Mediterranean crossings as people from the South Asian nation continue to risk their lives seeking economic opportunities in Europe.

The Pakistani embassy in Tripoli reported that a boat carrying migrants sank near Harawa on the coast of Sirte City in eastern Libya. Officials have recovered 11 bodies so far, with four positively identified as Pakistani nationals based on identity documents found with the bodies. Two additional bodies remain unidentified.

Pakistan, a country of approximately 240 million people, has struggled with economic instability, high unemployment, and political uncertainty, pushing many young citizens to seek opportunities abroad through both legal and illegal channels.

The ministry identified the Pakistani victims as Zahid Mehmood, 26, from Gujranwala district, and Sameer Ali, Syed Ali Hussain, and Asif Ali, all from Mandi Bahauddin district. Three of the victims were in their early twenties, while Asif Ali was 43.

The Foreign Ministry has activated its Crisis Management Unit to monitor the situation and assist families of the victims. Embassy officials in Libya continue to work with local authorities to identify any additional Pakistani nationals who may have been on the vessel.

Growing list of tragedies

This incident adds to a growing list of migrant boat tragedies involving Pakistani nationals in recent years. In February, another vessel sank off Libya's coast with dozens of Pakistanis on board. Officials later confirmed that 63 Pakistani nationals had been among the victims, with most coming from the country's Kurram and Bajaur districts.

The deadliest incident for Pakistani migrants in recent years occurred in June 2023, when hundreds perished after a vessel capsized off southern Greece. That tragedy prompted increased attention to the issue of illegal migration from Pakistan.

Libya has emerged as a major transit point for migrants from Pakistan and other Asian and African countries attempting to reach European shores.

Pakistan's government has intensified efforts to combat human trafficking networks that facilitate these dangerous journeys. The Federal Investigation Agency has dismissed officials for alleged collusion with traffickers and implemented stricter screening measures at airports.