Islamabad (Web Desk): A boat carrying 80 passengers, including several Pakistani nationals, setting off from Mauritania, has capsized near the Moroccan port of Dakhla.
As per the reports, over 40 Pakistanis were reportedly among those who died in the accident.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO), several survivors, including Pakistanis, are lodged in a camp near Dakhla.
The FO said that Pakistan Embassy in Rabat is in touch with local authorities. Additionally, a team from the Embassy has been dispatched to Dakhla to facilitate the Pakistani nationals and provide necessary assistance.
The statement added that the Crisis Management Unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoF) has been activated and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has instructed the relevant government agencies to extend all possible facilitation to the affected Pakistanis.
The contact details of Ministry’s Crisis Management Unit and focal persons in Rabat are as follows:
24/7 Crisis Response Center
Telephone: 051-9207887
E-mail: cmu1@mofa.gov.pk
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed grief over the accident of a boat sailing from West Africa to Spain.
He prayed for the elevation of ranks of Pakistanis who lost their lives in the tragedy.
The premier condoled with the bereaved families. He sought a report from the relevant officials about the incident.
PM Shehbaz warned of strict action against the persons involved in the repulsive act of human smuggling.
"No negligence on the matter would be tolerated," the premier said, adding that the government is taking strong measures against human smuggling.