Government delegation to investigate tragic boat accident in Morocco

A high-level government delegation is set to depart for Morocco on Saturday to investigate the tragic boat accident that claimed the lives of at least 50 people, including 44 Pakistani nationals. The incident, which occurred two days ago, involved a boat carrying illegal migrants attempting to reach Spain through Western Africa.

According to Moroccan authorities, the boat, which set sail from Mauritania on January 2, capsized off the coast of Morocco. The vessel was carrying 86 passengers, with 66 of them reported to be Pakistani nationals. Among the victims, 50 have been confirmed dead, and several others have been reported injured.

In response to the tragedy, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted an investigative committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the boat accident. The team, headed by Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry, includes senior officials such as FIA Punjab’s Additional Director Munir Masood Marth and representatives from the Foreign Office and the Intelligence Bureau (IB).

The delegation will remain in Morocco for three to four days to investigate the cause of the accident, meet survivors, and look into allegations of violence and killings against the victims. Their mission will also focus on uncovering the details of the illegal migration network organising the ill-fated journey.

Meanwhile, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has initiated legal action against several individuals involved in human smuggling, with cases registered in Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Sialkot. These actions are part of Pakistan’s broader crackdown on illegal migration networks operating in the region.