ISLAMABAD – Fourty migrants have been declared dead, days after a wooden boat capsized off Greece’s southern island of Gavdos last weekend.
The death toll climbed to 40 as the Greek Coast Guard ended days-long rescue operations and declaring missing individuals dead. The tragic incidents, involved three separate boat accidents, have shocked many, prompting action from the government.
Reports claimed that around 5,000 Pakistanis are still stranded in Libya, while several are hoping to travel to Europe with the help of travel agents.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Embassy in the European nation sent an official report to government of Pakistan regarding the boat accidents. Initial findings claimed three boats faced accidents in Greek territorial waters.
One boat was carrying forty five people, including six Pakistanis, saw all passengers safely rescued. A second boat, with 47 passengers, including five Pakistanis, also reported no casualties. However, the third boat, carrying 83 people—including 76 Pakistanis—had 39 individuals rescued, but 39 others, including 35 Pakistanis, are still missing.
The report further revealed that five bodies were recovered from the third boat, all of whom were Pakistani citizens from Sialkot, Gujrat, and Mandi Bahauddin. The identities of four victims were confirmed, but one remains unidentified.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Greece, Amir Aftab, confirmed that the bodies of the deceased Pakistanis will be sent back to Pakistan at the embassy’s expense.
Minimum bank statement for Greece Schengen visit visa from Pakistan [December 2024]
