Islamabad: At least 59 migrants, including 28 Pakistanis died after their overloaded boat sank in stormy seas off Italy’s southern Calabria region, officials said.

“As of few minutes ago, number of confirmed victims was 59,” Vincenzo Voce, mayor of coastal city of Crotone told TV channel Sky TG-24 Sunday afternoon. According to Pakistani Embassy in Rome besides others, 40 Pakistan were on board ill-fated boat.  Mission also said that bodies of 28 Pakistanis have been fished out of sea by rescue officials, however, 12 more citizens are still missing.

Pakistani officials further said that they are in contact with Italian authorities, volunteers and maritime agencies in this regard.  Embassy added that it is also in touch with Pakistani community in Calabria region and providing them with latest information about sad incident.

Meanwhile, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, “We are closely following reports about possible presence of Pakistanis in vessel that has capsized off coast of Italy.” Taking to twitter, she said that Pakistani Embassy in Rome is in process of ascertaining facts from Italian authorities. Earlier, coastguard service said, “43 bodies” had been found along coast and “80 people recovered alive, including some who managed to reach shore after sinking”. Vessel had set sail from Turkey several days ago with migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and several other countries and crashed in stormy weather near Steccato di Cutro, seaside resort on eastern coast of Calabria.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 27 2023

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