Seven Pakistanis confirmed dead in Libya boat tragedy

ISLAMABAD: The dead bodies of at least seven Pakistanis have been identified so far in the recent boat accident off the coast of Libya, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) confirmed.

The FIA said the victims were residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with six from Kurram Agency and one from Bajaur. The identities of the victims were confirmed through their passports.

As per details, rescue teams in Libya have recovered 10 bodies so far, who were part of a group of 65 people who tragically drowned in the incident. Reports suggested that a total of 16 Pakistani nationals were on board.

A day earlier, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson confirmed that a migrant board capsized near the port of Marsa Dela, northwest of Zawiya City, Libya.

In a statement, the ministry’s spokesperson said that Pakistan’s Embassy in Tripoli immediately dispatched a team to Zawiya Hospital to assist the local authorities in the identification of the deceased.

The Embassy is also trying to ascertain further details of the Pakistani affectees, the statement read.

PM expresses grief

Terming the incident “deeply concerning,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said: “I have directed the Foreign Office and our Mission in Libya to ascertain facts at the earliest and keep the nation fully informed”.

In a statement on Tuesday, the premier assured that action will be taken against those involved in the heinous act of human trafficking, adding that no negligence of any kind would be tolerated in this regard.

PM prayed for the departed souls and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He instructed concerned institutions to ensure all possible assistance to the victims and their families.