Survivors stated that conditions on the vessel were dire
Authorities investigating the Morocco boat tragedy have recorded statements from Pakistani survivors, revealing a horrific account of human trafficking.
Survivors alleged that human traffickers stranded the boat in open waters, demanding ransom from passengers.
Those unable to pay were reportedly beaten with hammers and thrown overboard.
A four-member investigation team from Pakistan is currently in Morocco to probe the incident.
The team comprises officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Intelligence Bureau.
According to their findings, the boat was under the control of an international human trafficking network involving operatives from Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco.
Survivors stated that conditions on the vessel were dire, with passengers enduring extreme cold, physical abuse, and a lack of food and water.
The boat departed Mauritania on January 2, 2025, carrying 86 migrants, including 66 Pakistanis.
Of these, 44 have been confirmed dead, with only 10 bodies recovered so far.
Nineteen survivors remain in the coastal town of Dakhla.
Initial reports suggest that many fatalities were due to violence and the harsh conditions imposed by the traffickers.
Pakistani survivors emphasised that the incident was not a tragic accident but a deliberate massacre orchestrated by the smugglers.
Efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible are underway.
The FIA has registered multiple cases against traffickers in Pakistan’s Gujranwala and Gujrat districts.
Among the suspects are individuals accused of facilitating illegal migration by charging exorbitant fees.
Victims’ families revealed that agents charged up to 4 million Pakistani rupees, promising safe passage to Europe.
However, they delivered their loved ones into the hands of international traffickers.
One victim’s family shared how agents misled them with false assurances.
The migrants were initially flown from Pakistan to Ethiopia and then taken to Senegal and Mauritania, where they boarded the ill-fated boat.
Survivors have recounted how some passengers succumbed to hypothermia and starvation during the ordeal.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif previously ordered swift action against those involved in human trafficking.
He initiated a thorough investigation and stricter oversight of migration networks.
The tragedy has reignited calls for stronger measures to combat human trafficking and provide safer migration pathways.
The Morocco boat tragedy is part of a larger crisis, with Walking Borders reporting that 10,457 migrants lost their lives attempting to reach Spain in 2024.
Many of these fatalities occurred on the perilous Atlantic route, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by migrants seeking better opportunities.
Investigations continue as families of the victims and survivors demand justice and accountability.
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