At least four Pakistani nationals were among the 11 bodies recovered after a migrant vessel sank near the Harawa coast of Sirte in eastern Libya, Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed on Monday.
“Our mission in Tripoli has reported that a vessel carrying foreign nationals has sunk near the Harawa coast, Sirte city (Eastern Libya),” the Foreign Office said in an official statement.
“A Pakistan embassy team’s visit to Sirte has confirmed the recovery of 11 bodies of migrants. Of these, four have been identified as Pakistani nationals based on their national documents. Two bodies remain unidentified,” the statement added.
The identified Pakistani victims include Zahid Mehmood from Gujranwala, and Sameer Ali, Syed Ali Hussain, and Asif Ali, all hailing from Mandi Bahauddin.
“The Embassy in Tripoli is actively working to gather more information about the affected Pakistani nationals and is in contact with the local authorities,” said the Foreign Office.
In response to the tragedy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also activated its Crisis Management Unit. “The Crisis Management Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been activated to monitor the situation,” the statement concluded.
Efforts are ongoing to determine the identities of the remaining victims and assist affected families.
