Greece boat tragedy: 13 Daska youths missing

DASKA:

Thirteen youths from Daska and its surrounding areas were onboard the ill-fated ferry which capsized off Greece on Wednesday.

Their families have no clue whatsoever about their fate yet.

The families of those 13 youths are living in misery, and they just hope to hear that their loved ones have survived the tragedy.

Each passing day adds to their anxieties.

They desperately wish the government does whatever it can to determine the fate of Pakistani would-be migrants who had embarked on that fateful journey.

As soon as this tragedy was reported, grief spread in the homes of these young people and every eye was filled with tears. The families of these youths said that they had had no contact with their sons.

It was not known what condition they were in.

The parents and relatives of these youths have urged the government to immediately contact the Greek government to find out about their loved ones, their condition and whereabouts.

Meanwhile, amid reports that more than 300 Pakistanis were among those who died after a boat packed with migrants capsized off the coast of Greece last week, hopes for the survivors are fading away.

The death toll in Wednesday’s disaster could top many hundred as witness accounts suggested that 400 to 750 people packed the fishing boat that sank about 50 miles (80km) from the southern Greek town of Pylos.

Greek authorities have said 104 survivors and 78 bodies were brought ashore in the immediate aftermath. Hopes were fading of finding any more people alive.

Most of the people on board were from Egypt, Syria and Pakistan, Greek government officials have said.

According to the latest count, 27 Pakistanis died in the boat tragedy whereas 12 survived the disaster. More than 50 Pakistanis are still missing. The bodies and the survivors have been identified.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration Wing had on Saturday arrested an alleged human trafficker, who, the authorities believe, had been involved in smuggling people to Libya, including those who died in the boat accident.

In a statement, the FIA said the suspect was trying to escape to Azerbaijan on an international flight when he was arrested, adding that he had been in hiding for months.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2023.