40 Pakistanis Dead: A boat carrying 80 migrants trying to reach Spain capsized near Morocco, killing more than 40 Pakistanis, officials said on Thursday. Migrant rights group Walking Borders said more than 50 migrants were feared drowned.

A day earlier, Moroccan authorities had rescued 36 people from a boat that had left Mauritania on January 2 with 86 migrants. These migrants also included 66 Pakistanis.

Helena Maleno, CEO of Walking Borders, said on the social media platform X that 44 of those who drowned were from Pakistan.

Pakistan's statement

The Pakistan Foreign Office stated the incident, stating that their embassy in Morocco is in constant touch with local authorities to assist in rescue operations. Additionally, a team from the Pakistani embassy in Morocco has been sent to Dakhla to help Pakistani nationals and provide necessary assistance.

The Pakistan Foreign Office said, "Our Embassy in Rabat (Morocco) has informed us that a boat carrying 80 passengers, including Pakistani nationals from Mauritania, has capsized near Dakhla port. Several Pakistani nationals and others who survived the accident have been accommodated in a camp near Dakhla. We are providing relief as soon as possible."

Pak PM Shahbaz Sharif expressed grief

PM Sharif wrote on Twitter: "Extremely disturbing news has come in about the capsizing of a boat off the coast of Morocco. More than 80 passengers, including many Pakistanis, were on board the boat. This is a shock to me and the entire nation."

He said, "I have directed the Ministry of External Affairs to talk with the local authorities to trace the missing people in Morocco, rescue the survivors and bring back the bodies of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. I have also directed to take strict action against human traffickers and agents in Pakistan who trap innocent citizens in this dangerous trap.

PC:ABPNews