Italy boat inccident: 28 Pakistani meets death in search of better future, Multiple missing
59 people, including 28 Pakistani citizens and 12 children, have died in the sinking of a migrant boat in southern region of Italy, while many people are still missing, leaders including Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Maloney, Pope Francis express sorrow
59 people, including 28 Pakistani nationals, are reported to have died in the sinking of a migrant boat in the southern region of Italy, including 12 children.
59 people, including 28 Pakistani citizens and 12 children, have died in the sinking of a migrant boat in the southern region of Italy, while many people are still missing.
According to the sources, government officials have said that 4 of the dead people have been identified and they belong to the cities of Gujarat and Rawalpindi in Punjab.
Read also
The Foreign Office has said in its statement that it is aware of the news of the possible presence of Pakistani citizens in the boat sinking incident and is evaluating it.
Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have said that the Pakistani embassy in Rome is investigating the facts, while according to diplomatic officials, 12 Pakistani citizens on board the migrant boat are still missing.
We are closely following the reports about possible presence of Pakistanis in the vessel that has capsized off the coast of Italy. The Embassy of Pakistan in Rome is in the process of ascertaining facts from the Italian authorities.
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) February 26, 2023
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his message on Kushi Harise said that the news of drowning of more than two dozen Pakistanis is very alarming. The nation will be taken into confidence by finding out the facts.
A few people who survived the accident claimed the presence of 150 people in the boat, but according to the rescue authorities, 80 people survived the accident and managed to reach the shore.
Italian rescue officials told international news organizations that more than 200 people were on board the boat, which means that more than 60 people are missing.
The reports of the drowning of over two dozen Pakistanis in a boat tragedy in Italy are deeply concerning & worrisome. I have directed Foreign Office to ascertain facts as early as possible & take the nation into confidence.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 27, 2023
The mayor of the area, Antonio Carrasco, says that such an incident has never happened before, while on the other hand, the customs police have detained a person on charges of human trafficking.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed deep sorrow over the accident and blamed human traffickers, while Pope Francis prayed for the dead, missing, and injured.
According to Italian officials, the boat left Turkey several days ago and was carrying citizens of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Iran.
