335 Pakistanis Die in Four Years on Deadly Europe Boat Routes
News Desk
Islamabad: At least 335 Pakistanis have lost their lives over the past four years while attempting to reach Europe through dangerous boat journeys, with many falling victim to human traffickers operating illegal migration routes.
Details obtained from official records reveal that seven major boat accidents involving Pakistanis have been reported since June 2023, resulting in hundreds of deaths during attempts to cross the Mediterranean Sea in small vessels.
One of the deadliest incidents occurred in June 2023 when a boat heading towards Greece sank with 226 Pakistanis among the passengers. According to the records, 207 Pakistanis died in the tragedy, while only 19 survived.
Another major accident took place in December 2024 involving a boat bound for Greece. Of the 69 Pakistanis on board, 25 lost their lives, while 44 were rescued.
In January 2025, a boat carrying 70 Pakistanis met with an accident near Morocco, leaving 44 dead. A separate incident off Libya in February 2025 claimed the lives of 23 Pakistanis.
Further tragedies were reported in April 2025, October 2025 and April 2026, involving boats operated by smugglers from Libya. More than 30 Pakistanis died in these incidents, according to official figures.
Following the repeated disasters, Pakistani authorities launched stricter measures against illegal migration networks, including increased surveillance, screening and offloading operations at departure points.
The crackdown has led to a significant decline in the number of Pakistanis attempting irregular migration routes.
According to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, the number of Pakistani nationals detected attempting smuggling routes dropped by 64% in the first two months of 2026.
Around 440 cases were recorded in January and February 2026, compared with 1,224 during the same period in 2025.
Authorities continue to warn citizens against relying on human smugglers, highlighting the deadly risks associated with illegal journeys to Europe.
