One Pakistani was killed and 47 were rescued after a boat capsized near Greece, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) confirmed on Sunday.
Responding to different reports about the number of casualties in the boat tragedy, MoFA hinted at the possibility of increase in the number of casualties because the rescue operation is still going on.
It said, "At this stage, we are unable to confirm the number of deceased or missing Pakistani nationals."
Coastguards said on Saturday at least five migrants drowned after their wooden boat capsized off the southern Greek island of Gavdos. Witnesses reported that many others were still missing as search operations continued.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Pakistani Embassy in Athens has been in contact with both the Hellenic Coast Guard and the Coast Guard of Chania, who are doing the search and rescue operation.
The ministry said, "Embassy officials have travelled to Crete to meet with the rescued Pakistanis and provide any necessary assistance."
The ministry also confirmed that its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) has been activated to assist Pakistanis in Greece.
Pakistani nationals in Greece and their families are urged to contact the CMU via telephone at 051-9207887 or by email at cmu1@mofa.gov.pk.
Families of the missing Pakistanis can reach the Embassy of Pakistan in Greece to provide details at +30-6943850188.
The CMU will oversee the rescue operation and the identification of affected Pakistanis, ensuring that the families of the deceased are given access to their loved ones for identification.
Following the Prime Minister’s directive, the Pakistani embassy has written to all relevant Greek authorities regarding the matter.
Earlier, international media reported that 39 men — most of them from Pakistan — had been rescued by cargo vessels in the area. These individuals have been transferred to the island of Crete. The number of missing individuals has yet to be confirmed.
Coastguard boats, merchant vessels, an Italian frigate, and naval aircraft have been searching the area since Greek authorities were alerted to the incident on Friday night.
This tragic event has renewed calls for stricter measures to combat human smuggling and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation by criminal networks.
In response to the casualties resulting from illegal migration attempts to Europe, Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to launch nationwide operations against human smuggling networks. He stressed that the mafias responsible for destroying countless families must be eradicated.