Four Pakistanis confirmed dead in Greek shipwreck

The number of Pakistanis killed in a shipwreck off Greece’s southern island of Gavdos has risen to four, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said Monday.

The wooden boat, carrying dozens of migrants, capsized on Friday night, prompting ongoing search operations. At least five people drowned, including Pakistani nationals, while many remain missing, according to Greek authorities.

“We announce with deep sorrow that, as per the latest information shared by the Greek authorities, four Pakistani nationals have been identified among the dead,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

The Pakistani embassy in Athens is working with Greek officials to assist survivors and arrange the repatriation of the bodies.

Greek coastguard boats, merchant vessels, and naval aircraft have been combing the area since the boat sank 12 nautical miles southwest of Gavdos. The first body was recovered on Saturday morning.

According to the Athens News Agency, a migrant was in serious condition in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Chania, while three others were being treated for cardiac issues and hypothermia.

The incident comes as migrant crossings to Greece continue to rise. Greek authorities reported a 25% increase in arrivals this year, with significant activity in the central Mediterranean and southeast Aegean regions.

Each year, thousands of Pakistani migrants risk dangerous sea journeys to Europe, driven by economic hardship. Many use the "dunki" route, an unauthorized pathway often managed by smuggling networks. These journeys typically involve overcrowded and poorly equipped boats, leading to frequent tragedies.

In a separate incident Saturday, a Malta-flagged cargo vessel rescued 47 migrants, and a tanker picked up another 88 from boats off Gavdos.

Greece, once the main entry point to Europe during the 2015-2016 migration crisis, remains a transit hub for migrants from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Shipwrecks have increased in recent months, highlighting the dangers of these perilous journeys.

In June, hundreds of migrants drowned off the Greek coastal town of Pylos in one of the deadliest Mediterranean boat disasters in recent history.