Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the foreign office to immediately ‘ascertain facts’ of the Italy boat tragedy that killed over two dozen Pakistanis. Twenty-eight Pakistanis were believed to be among 59 people who drowned when a boat carrying migrants to Europe crashed against rocks near the southern Italian coast.
At least 81 people survived Sunday’s accident, with 20 hospitalised including one person in intensive care, Italian authorities said. The wooden boat, which sailed from Turkey, is said to have carried people from Iran and Afghanistan as well.
“The reports of the drowning of over two dozen Pakistanis in a boat tragedy in Italy are deeply concerning and worrisome,” Sharif said in a statement, adding, “I have directed the foreign office to ascertain facts as early as possible and take the nation into confidence.” Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra said the ministry had requested Italian authorities for details.The Afghan foreign ministry did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
