Over 40 Pakistanis Feared Dead in West Africa Boat Tragedy
A boat carrying migrants capsized off the Atlantic coast of West Africa, leaving more than 40 Pakistanis feared dead. The ill-fated vessel was en route to Spain’s Canary Islands, a well-known but perilous migration route to Europe. Pakistani authorities confirmed that the boat departed from Mauritania and capsized near Dakhla, a port city in the disputed Western Sahara.
Voices of Grief
Most of the Pakistani victims hailed from Punjab province, with families in villages like Dhola and Jura now mourning their loved ones. Ahsan Shehzad, a resident of Dhola, lost his son, Sufyan Ali, who had expressed concerns about the overcrowded boat in a final voice message. Muhammad Akram from Jura revealed that he paid human traffickers millions of rupees to send his son, Abu Bakar, abroad, only to lose him in the tragedy.
Meanwhile, in Daska, another Punjab locality, families of missing migrants expressed desperation. Razia Bibi, whose son Mohammad Arfan remains unaccounted for, pleaded with authorities to trace and bring him home. Despite hearing from relatives that some passengers survived, uncertainty continues to haunt the grieving families.
Global Migration Crisis
The Canary Islands have become a preferred route for migrants after stricter controls in the Mediterranean Sea pushed traffickers to seek alternative paths. This longer and more dangerous journey often begins in Mauritania, requiring treacherous crossings that can span weeks. In 2024 alone, over 50,000 migrants attempted this journey, with 178 Pakistanis among them, according to European border agency Frontex.
Walking Borders, a Spain-based migrant rights group, reported that the Atlantic route has claimed nearly 10,000 lives, calling it the deadliest migration corridor globally. The organization estimates that the latest tragedy adds to the mounting toll of lost lives as desperate individuals seek better opportunities abroad.
Crackdown on Trafficking
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that survivors, including some Pakistanis, are being housed at a camp near Dakhla. Efforts are underway to assist them, with officials from the Pakistani Embassy in Morocco engaging with local authorities.
Pakistan has pledged to crack down on human trafficking networks. However, such tragedies persist, with hundreds of Pakistanis dying each year while attempting hazardous journeys facilitated by smugglers. In 2023, a similar incident off Greece claimed the lives of many Pakistanis, emphasizing the high risks of such crossings.
The victims’ families are urging authorities to repatriate the deceased and trace the missing. Meanwhile, international agencies and governments are being called upon to address the root causes of dangerous migration, including poverty and human trafficking.
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