A tragic incident unfolded near the coastal city of Dakhla, Morocco, as a boat carrying migrants capsized, leaving as many as 50 individuals feared drowned.
Among the survivors, 21 Pakistani nationals have been identified, according to a statement by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
This devastating accident highlights the persistent risks faced by migrants attempting to cross from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands, often in overcrowded and unsafe vessels.
Moroccan Authorities Rescue Survivors
The boat in question had departed from Mauritania on January 2, carrying 86 migrants, including 66 Pakistanis. In response to the emergency, Moroccan authorities conducted a swift rescue operation on Wednesday, successfully saving 36 people.
Despite these efforts, the fate of the remaining passengers remains uncertain, with Walking Borders, a migrant rights group, warning that dozens may have perished in the sea.
Local authorities in Dakhla, in coordination with Pakistan's Embassy in Rabat, have provided shelter, medical attention, food, water, clothing, and medication to the affected individuals.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has demonstrated a proactive approach to the crisis by mobilizing resources through its diplomatic channels in Morocco.
The embassy’s consular team is on the ground in Dakhla, overseeing relief efforts and maintaining communication with local authorities.
Assistance for Pakistani Nationals
To support the survivors, the embassy has taken the following measures:
- Ensured access to basic provisions such as food, water, and medicine.
- Arranged for temporary accommodation and clothing.
- Coordinated with Moroccan officials to provide medical care and address the survivors' health concerns.
The government has also pledged to finalize repatriation procedures for Pakistani nationals once their immediate needs are fully addressed.
The Names of Pakistani Survivors
Below is the detailed list of Pakistani survivors who have been identified:
- Muddassir Hussain
- CNIC: 34202-6131193-3
- DOB: 05/03/1993
- Passport: ZV6891933
- Waseem Khalid
- CNIC: 34403-4305069-9
- DOB: 15/08/1988
- Passport: WQ4110695
- Muhammad Khaliq
- CNIC: 34603-2353241-1
- DOB: 18/01/1980
- Passport: HF4102415
- Abdul Ghaffar
- CNIC: 33203-6590419-1
- DOB: 12/12/2000
- Passport: CE4184192
- Gul Shameer
- CNIC: 35404-5022277-3
- DOB: 14/09/2003
- Passport: UR5152771
- Tanveer Ahmed
- CNIC: 37302-7926447-9
- DOB: 30/10/1992
- Passport: WE1164473
- Syed Muhammad Abbas Kazmi
- CNIC: 34603-1372157-1
- DOB: 24/05/1998
- Passport: CR4851572
- Ghulam Mustafa
- CNIC: 34202-2841954-9
- DOB: 26/06/2004
- Passport: FE0879541
- Syed Badar Mohy ud din
- CNIC: 34403-4975003-7
- DOB: 25/04/1989
- Passport: AG0190032
- Imran Iqbal
- CNIC: 34202-0847176-5
- DOB: 20/02/1990
- Passport: GF1331762
- Shoaib Zafar
- CNIC: 34402-3696128-9
- DOB: 30/06/1989
- Passport: BP5521285
- Ali Hassan
- CNIC: 34402-0896750-1
- DOB: 15/06/2001
- Passport: MT6807502
- Syed Mehtab Ul Hassan
- CNIC: 34202-6549895-1
- DOB: 29/01/2005
- Passport: UE6808951
- Uzair Basharat
- CNIC: 34202-3872445-7
- DOB: 27/02/1997
- Passport: DP3844452
- Mohammad Asif
- CNIC: 34301-1767148-7
- DOB: 03/06/1975
- Passport: DC1881482
- Mujahid Ali
- CNIC: 35404-4511945-7
- DOB: 11/02/1993
- Passport: VM1809453
- Amir Ali
- CNIC: 34101-4462488-1
- DOB: 16/07/2003
- Passport: ZK1824881
- Mohammad Umar Farooqie
- CNIC: 34503-0382485-5
- DOB: 16/04/2004
- Passport: KC8964851
- Bilawal Iqbal
- CNIC: 37405-7075359-7
- DOB: 01/12/1998
- Passport: XE1333591
- Arsalan
- CNIC: 34601-5160483-1
- DOB: 05/10/2002
- Passport: JX1914831
- Irfan Ahmad
- CNIC: 34601-5525085-5
- DOB: 13/04/1984
- Passport: KJ1150853
