Interior minister orders probe into Greece boat tragedy

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday expressed his deep sorrow and grief over death of illegal Pakistani migrants who were going to Europe near West Island of Greece, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to details, a boat carrying illegal Pakistani migrants was overturned near West Island of Greece. These Pakistanis were going to Europe through illegal channels.

Mohsin Naqvi also summoned a detailed inquiry report over the tragic incident, while a committee was also constituted to conduct thorough investigation into the sad incident.

The committee will submit detailed report in five days to interior minister.

Mohsin Naqvi said that the government has already adopted zero tolerance policy against human smuggling and anyone who found involved in human smuggling will be dealt with iron hands.

At least five Pakistanis drowned after their wooden boat capsized off Greece's southern island of Gavdos.

So far 39 men — most of them from Pakistan — have been rescued by cargo vessels sailing in the area. They have been transferred to the island of Crete.

Coastguard boats, merchant vessels, an Italian frigate and naval aircraft have been searching the area since Greek authorities were alerted about the incident on Friday night.

In separate incidents on Saturday, a Malta-flagged cargo vessel rescued 47 migrants from a boat sailing about 40 nautical miles off Gavdos, while a tanker rescued another 88 migrants some 28 nautical miles off the tiny island in Greece's south.