22 Pakistani nationals to be repatriated after fatal boat accident in Morocco: FO

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday that 22 Pakistani nationals, survivors of a recent maritime incident near the Dakhla port of Morocco, will be repatriated to Pakistan in batches.

The survivors were part of a boat tragedy that claimed the lives of 50 migrants, including 44 Pakistanis. However, the Foreign Office later confirmed on Sunday that 21 Pakistani nationals survived the accident.

In a statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan confirmed that following thorough investigations and coordination with Moroccan authorities, the repatriation process was being carried out in phases.

The Pakistan Embassy in Rabat has worked closely with local authorities to oversee relief efforts and finalize the repatriation process.

“The consular team in Dakhla has been essential in planning the survivors' return, while the Foreign Ministry’s Crisis Management Unit (CMU) has been actively monitoring the situation,” said Khan.

He added that the embassy’s efforts also included maintaining communication with the families of the affected individuals and verifying their identities in collaboration with the interior ministry and other relevant departments.

The tragic incident occurred on January 16 when a boat, carrying irregular migrants from Mauritania to Spain, capsized off the Moroccan coast.

The boat, which departed from Mauritania on January 2, had 86 migrants on board, 66 of whom were Pakistani nationals.

Moroccan authorities reported that the accident occurred in waters off the coast of Dakhla, and they rescued 36 survivors.

In addition to the ongoing repatriation efforts in Morocco, the ministry is also facilitating the return of 11 Pakistani nationals from Mauritania. These individuals have voluntarily chosen to return to Pakistan as part of a separate repatriation process.

The Pakistani government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has launched a high-level investigation into the tragedy, with a special committee formed to oversee the inquiry into the boat accident in Morocco.

The welfare of Pakistani nationals abroad remains a priority, and the Foreign Ministry has pledged to continue providing all necessary support and facilitation for affected families.