Pakistani authorities have repatriated the bodies of 12 migrants who died after a boat capsized off the coast of Zuwara, Libya. The tragedy is the latest in a series of disasters involving migrants attempting to reach Europe.
In an official statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the boat was carrying over 60 Pakistani migrants. While 37 people were rescued, 10 remain missing. Efforts are ongoing to identify the victims and complete repatriation procedures.
This incident follows another recent tragedy where 16 Pakistani migrants drowned off the coast of Zawiya, Libya. Their identities were confirmed through travel documents recovered from the scene.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the latest disaster, extending condolences to the victims’ families. He urged the Foreign Ministry to expedite the identification and return of the deceased to their loved ones.
Pakistani media reported that many migrants endure dangerous journeys through irregular routes, hoping to escape poverty and insecurity in search of a better future in Europe.
Migrant boat sinkings have increased in recent years due to overcrowded, unseaworthy vessels and human smuggling networks that exploit desperate travellers. Libya remains a key departure point for perilous Mediterranean crossings.
One of the deadliest migrant shipwrecks occurred on 14 June 2023, when a fishing boat sank off the Greek coast, carrying over 700 migrants, including many Pakistanis. Only 104 people survived.
In January 2025, dozens of Pakistani migrants also died when their boat capsized off West Africa’s coast, highlighting the escalating dangers migrants face while pursuing a better future through high-risk routes.
