Date: January 18, 2025
An inflatable dinghy carrying migrants heads towards England in the English Channel, August 6, 2024. — Reuters
An inflatable dinghy carrying migrants heads towards England in the English Channel, August 6, 2024. — Reuters
- 20 individuals traveled from three airports to Senegal and Saudi Arabia.
- Survivors’ accounts crucial to uncovering incident details.
- 50 migrants, including 44 Pakistanis, lost their lives.
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has initiated a high-level investigation into the tragic boat accident in Morocco.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a special committee to oversee the inquiry, sources reported.
The accident occurred when a boat carrying irregular migrants from Mauritania to Spain capsized, claiming the lives of 50 migrants, including 44 Pakistanis.
Moroccan authorities stated the boat, which departed on January 2, had 86 passengers onboard. They rescued 36 people after the accident, while the rest, as per the Pakistani Embassy, are presumed dead.
Formation of Investigative Team:
According to the FIA, a four-member team is set to depart for Morocco tonight. The team includes:
- Salman Chaudhry (Additional Secretary for Interior)
- Munir Masood (Additional Director North FIA Punjab)
- One officer from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- One officer from the Intelligence Bureau
The team will meet survivors, investigate claims of violence, and gather key evidence in Morocco.
Government Actions:
Following the Greek boat tragedy last month, the government launched a crackdown on human smuggling. The FIA arrested 185 traffickers, including 38 most-wanted individuals.
In connection with the Morocco tragedy, three cases have been registered, and four suspects have been placed on the “Stop List.”
