While the Greek authorities claim a partial death toll of 78, the Pakistani authorities put the death toll at over three hundred. The Greek interim Prime Minister, Ioannis Sarmas, has declared that a “thorough investigation into the actual facts and technical judgments” will be carried out to determine what caused the boat to sink on the night of June 13-14, 2023. But we hear almost nothing about this tragedy. The story of the Titan imploded in the deep sea near the wreckage of the Titanic has completely overshadowed the tragedy of the Pakistani refugees seeking a better life in Italy.
More than 300 Pakistani nationals lost their lives in the sinking of an overloaded trawler off the Greek coast, a devastating incident that highlights the refugee crisis facing the European Union. The President of the Pakistani Senate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, expressed his condolences to the bereaved families in a statement issued on Sunday, stressing the urgent need to address and condemn the heinous act of illegal human trafficking.
Although the Greek authorities have yet to confirm the exact number of victims reported by Pakistan, the incident has drawn attention to the country’s severe economic crisis. Greece is currently facing its worst economic recession in decades, and political unrest is further complicating efforts to secure financial aid from the International Monetary Fund. Stalled growth and soaring inflation have severely affected the lives of Pakistan’s 220 million people, leading to deadly stampedes at food distribution centers due to the difficulty of importing basic foodstuffs.
The growing number of Pakistanis embarking on perilous journeys to Europe in search of better opportunities has had repercussions throughout the country. In response to the tragic sinking, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared a day of national mourning and ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident, promising that those negligent in the performance of their duties will be held accountable, Al-Jazeera reported.The boat capsized off the coast of Greece while en route from Libya to Italy. It was carrying around 750 people, including around 100 children, according to the United Nations Migration Agency (IOM). This tragedy is one of the deadliest incidents in the Mediterranean, raising concerns about the role of smugglers and the need to prevent such loss of life.
The Greek authorities have been criticized for their handling of the disaster, which also raises uncomfortable questions about the attitude of European countries towards migrants. Despite the dangers involved, many people are prepared to risk everything to find a better life in Europe. However, several European countries have adopted stricter border policies and a tougher stance towards migrants.
The circumstances surrounding the sinking of the boat have been the subject of allegations and counter-arguments. The Greek authorities initially denied allegations that the boat had capsized after the coastguard had tried to tow it to shore. However, witnesses such as Tarek Aldroobi, who had relatives on board, claim that the Greek authorities did attempt to tow the boat, but the ropes were not tied in the right place, resulting in its tragic overturning, according to BBC.
This devastating incident is a cruel reminder of the risks faced by people seeking refuge and a better life elsewhere. It also highlights the urgent need for international cooperation and global solutions to tackle the root causes of migration, ensuring the safety and protection of vulnerable populations.
As the world mourns the loss of human life, the focus must be on preventing further tragedies and supporting those affected by the current refugee crisis. But very little attention has been paid to this immeasurable tragedy. The story of the 5 ultra-rich explorers has totally eclipsed the plight of the poor migrants.