News Desk
ROME: Official said that at least 28 citizens of Pakistan among 59 migrants died following their overloaded ship sank on Sunday morning in stormy seas off southern Calabria region in Italy.
Mayor of the coastal city of Crotone told a TV channel that at least 59 people died in the mishap.
Bodies of twenty-eight Pakistanis have been recovered: Officials
Pakistan’s embassy in Rome said that besides others migrants, as many as 40 Pakistani were on board the ill-fated ship. The embassy said that bodies of twenty-eight Pakistani citizens have been recovered by the rescue workers, however, 12 Pakistanis are still missing. It further said that Pakistan’s embassy officials are in touch with Italian officials, maritime agencies and volunteers in this connection. According to embassy, the officials are also in contact with Pakistani community in the region.
Read Also: Pakistan Closely Following Reports About Possible Presence of its Citizens on Italy Shipwreck
Earlier, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson said that Islamabad is closely following the reports regarding the possible presence of Pakistani citizens in the ship that has capsized off in Italy.
We are closely following the reports about possible presence of Pakistanis in the vessel that has capsized off the coast of Italy. The Embassy of Pakistan in Rome is in the process of ascertaining facts from the Italian authorities.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) February 26, 2023
Local authorities in Italy said that the boat, carrying migrants from Afghanistan, Somalia, Pakistan, and Iran. Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement through social media that Pakistan is closely following the reports about the possible presence of Pakistanis in the ill-fated ship.
