How many Pakistanis died and are missing in Greek boat incident?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the deaths of six Pakistanis in the recent boat accident off the Greek island of Gavdos, Crete. A total of 83 Pakistanis were on board the ill-fated wooden boat, which capsized during a harrowing journey.

Ambassador to Greece, Aamir Aftab, revealed in a news conference that many of the missing Pakistanis are minors, highlighting the tragic nature of the incident.

The survivors of the accident, who are currently sheltered in a camp in Greece, have shared harrowing details of their ordeal. They described their journey, stating that they left Pakistan on the 10th and boarded the boat on the 11th. They arrived in Libya after a difficult journey, where they endured months of severe torture before embarking on the perilous sea voyage. “We traveled for three days on the sea. The boat’s engine was not working, and the walkie-talkie was also broken,” one survivor said. Following the tragic incident, they were rescued by a cargo ship, but they lost their belongings, including clothes, slippers, and mobile phones.

The Greek Coast Guard is continuing its search operation for the missing individuals after the boat capsized two days ago. The latest reports indicate that five migrants were confirmed dead, while 40 remain missing. Fortunately, 39 survivors, most of whom were Pakistani, were rescued from the wreckage.

According to a Foreign Office spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the Greek authorities have now identified six Pakistanis among the dead. On Saturday, five bodies were recovered, and one individual was taken to the hospital in critical condition. As of now, 47 Pakistanis have been rescued, although the exact number of missing persons remains unclear.

In response to the ongoing crisis, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry has set up a helpline for the families of the missing victims. Relatives can reach out to the number +30 6943850188 for assistance. Additionally, the Pakistani embassy in Greece is in active contact with Greek authorities to ensure the well-being of the survivors and to facilitate the repatriation of the deceased.

The Pakistani government is closely monitoring the situation and working to provide support to the affected families during this difficult time.