Pakistani survivors reveal horror of Morocco boat tragedy
Call Morocco boat tragedy a massacre: Human traffickers abandon victims to die in open water for not paying ransom: Gujrat's teen victim was killed by hammering. Investigation team records survivors' statements:
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Pakistani survivors of the Morocco boat incident have labelled it a deliberate act of mass murder, as per preliminary statements recorded by a four-member investigative committee from Pakistan.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the survivors said the traffickers stopped the boat in open waters and demanded ransom. Those who paid were released, while others were abandoned to die.
The survivors disclosed that many victims reportedly succumbed to cold weather and physical assault.
Victim’s story: Ali Raza of Gujrat
One of the victims, 16-year-old Ali Raza from Gujrat, was murdered in
the incident. His younger brother revealed that Ali had left for Spain seven months ago, paying Rs 4.5 million to human traffickers.
Tragically, Ali Raza was killed when the traffickers allegedly struck him on the head with a hammer, his younger brother disclosed.
Ali’s mother, who supports the family through sewing work, had sold their land to fund his journey, hoping to improve their financial situation. The family is now devastated.
A joyful send-off turned into tragedy.
Before embarking on the ill-fated journey, another victim, Yousaf, also from Gujrat, shared a video with his family showing a pizza party he had with fellow travellers in Mauritania, celebrating their anticipated journey to Spain.
The tragedy has reportedly claimed the lives of dozens of young men from Pakistan, turning dreams of a better future into a nightmare.
3 human smugglers arrested from Sahiwal, Faisalabad
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Monday arrested three notorious human smugglers from different areas of Faisalabad and Sahiwal.
Sources said that FIA Director-General Ahmad Ishaq Jahangir directed to expedite action against persons involved in human smuggling.
The arrested human smugglers were identified as Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Afzaal and Husnain Ali. The accused looted innocent persons by showing them golden dreams for sending them to Europe. They were involved to help innocent people for crossing borders illegally.
Accused Asif collected Rs5 million from a citizen for sending him to Italy via Senegal. Later, all these persons sent back to their homeland.
Accused Mohammad Afzaal generated Rs3.2 million from a person promising him to provide a job in Italy.
Accused Husnain Ali posted advertisements on social media for employment in European countries.
FIA personnel recovered a mobile phone and other evidence from the possession of the accused. He was in contact with an international network involved in human smuggling.
The accused and his other colleagues were involved sending people to European countries for employment without any license
FIA started investigations from the accused.
Director FIA Faisalabad Zone said that crackdown is going on against human smugglers. He said that special squads were constituted to arrest the fleeing culprits.
All resources are being used to arrest the remaining human smugglers. Crackdown against these accused will continue till its logical conclusion.
Reporter: Tayyab Saif