Pakistan’s Foreign Office said on Sunday that 21 Pakistani nationals were among the survivors of a migrant boat that sank off the coast of Morocco recently.
The foreign office said that food and medicines were being arranged for them.
A migrant boat with 80 passengers on board, including several Pakistanis, had capsized near Morocco en route to Spain a few days ago.
According to Moroccan authorities, 36 people were rescued on Wednesday from the vessel, which had departed Mauritania on Jan 2. The boat had 86 migrants on board, including 66 Pakistanis, according to minority rights group Walking Borders.
“Based on verified information, twenty-one Pakistani nationals have been identified among the survivors of a maritime incident near Dakhla, Morocco,” the foreign office said in a statement.
“Through our diplomatic mission in Rabat, immediate assistance has been mobilized for the affected nationals,” it added.
The foreign office said it had arranged essential provisions including food, water, medicine and clothing for the survivors through the Pakistan embassy in Rabat. It said local authorities in Dakhla are providing shelter and medical care in response to Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach.
“Government remains in close coordination with relevant authorities in Morocco to ensure comprehensive support for our affected citizens and finalize repatriation procedures,” the foreign office said.
“We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of overseas Pakistanis and will continue to monitor the situation closely,” it said.