Bodies identified through fingerprints and photos using national database
22 survivors have begun returning; 31 passengers still missing at sea
Victims paid up to $8,500 each to human traffickers
Pakistani authorities have identified 13 victims from last month's migrant boat disaster off the Moroccan coast, marking a grim milestone in a tragedy that highlighted the dangers faced by thousands seeking illegal passage to Europe.
The bodies, recovered after the vessel sank on January 15, were identified through Pakistan's national database authority, NADRA, using fingerprints and photographs, diplomatic sources said Tuesday. The victims were part of a larger group of 44 Pakistanis believed to have perished when their Spain-bound boat capsized near Dakhla, Morocco.
Twenty-two survivors from the January incident have already begun returning to Pakistan in phases, with the first group arriving in Islamabad last week. The bodies of the remaining 31 passengers are still missing at sea.
The identified victims range in age from early 20s to mid-40s, according to passport details provided by authorities. Their names and documentation numbers have been released to facilitate the repatriation process.
- 1. Sufyan Ali (son of Javed Iqbal)
- 2. Sajjad Ali (son of Muhammad Nawaz)
- 3. Rais Afzal (son of Muhammad Afzal)
- 4. Qusnain Haider (son of Muhammad Banaras)
- 5. Muhammad Waqas (son of Sanaullah)
- 6. Muhammad Akram (son of Ghulam Rasool)
- 7. Muhammad Arsalan Khan (son of Ramzan Khan)
- 8. Hamid Shabbir (son of Ghulam Shabbir)
- 9. Qaiser Iqbal (son of Muhammad Iqbal)
- 10. Danish Rehman (son of Muhammad Nawaz)
- 11. Muhammad Sajawal (son of Rahim Din)
- 12. Shehzad Ahmed (son of Wilayat Hussain)
- 13. Ehtesham (son of Tariq Mehmood)
"Each name on this list represents a family's tragedy," said Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesperson for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "We are now focused on ensuring these victims are returned to their loved ones with dignity." The ministry has initiated the repatriation process, though no specific timeline was provided.
The identification process was particularly challenging as the bodies were severely decomposed and lacked documentation, officials said. The Pakistani Embassy in Morocco coordinated with local authorities and NADRA to confirm the identities.
'Dunki': Deadly illegal migration
The incident has intensified scrutiny of Pakistan's struggle with illegal migration networks, locally known as "dunki." Despite recent crackdowns, including the dismissal of over 60 border control officials for corruption, human smugglers continue to operate with relative impunity.
Critics point to the Federal Investigation Agency's low conviction rate of 30% in trafficking cases as evidence of insufficient enforcement.
A photo provided by the Hellenic Coast Guard shows migrants onboard a boat during a rescue operation, before their boat capsized on the open sea, off Greece, June 14, 2023.
Reuters
The tragedy near Morocco follows a similar disaster last June when 286 Pakistanis died off the Greek coast, prompting promises of stricter action against smuggling networks. However, desperate economic conditions continue to drive many Pakistanis to risk the dangerous journey, paying traffickers up to $8,500 per person.
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