Tripoli: A tragic boat accident off the eastern coast of Libya has claimed the lives of 11 migrants, including four Pakistani nationals, according to Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
The incident reportedly occurred during the night between April 12 and 13 near the Harawa coast, close to the Libyan city of Sirte. The boat was en route from Libya to Greece, carrying migrants in search of better opportunities in Europe.
According to FIA sources, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan was informed through an official report confirming the recovery of 11 bodies from the site of the accident. Among the deceased, four were identified as Pakistani nationals—three from Mandi Bahauddin and one from Gujranwala.
A team from the Pakistani embassy visited the city of Sirte to verify the identities of the deceased. The names of the Pakistani victims are:
Zahid Mahmood, son of Liaqat Ali (Gujranwala)
Sameer Ali, son of Raja Abdul Qadeer (Mandi Bahauddin)
Syed Ali Hussain, son of Shafqat Hussainain (Mandi Bahauddin)
Asif Ali, son of Nazar Muhammad (Mandi Bahauddin)
Additionally, five of the remaining victims have been identified as Egyptian nationals, while the identities of two others are yet to be confirmed.
Pakistani diplomatic officials are currently in contact with local Libyan authorities to gather further details and ensure proper assistance for the victims’ families. Libyan officials have launched an ongoing search operation, fearing that more bodies may be recovered in the coming days.
In a related development, Greece's Coast Guard reported discovering the bodies of two women on the small Aegean island of Farmakonisi, along with 39 migrants found alive. The cause of the deaths on the island remains under investigation, with authorities working to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.
